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Fight to save last of the lions
Cleo is one of the wildlife sanctuary’s remaining lions, whose future hangs in the balance. Photo / NZME
Owners race to find new backers as ageing big cats face death
W
Karina Cooper
hangārei’s lion park and its remaining five big cats have been offered a “glimmer of hope”. The Northern Advocate broke the news on Tuesday that the last seven and elderly lions at the Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary were to be put down. While two of the lions, Imvula and Sibili, were euthanised on Wednesday because of ill health, the park’s owners Bolton Equities and its facility operator Janette Vallance say
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they are making every last-ditch effort to save the final five. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) confirmed Wednesday’s process had adhered to the Animal Welfare Act. Imvula was a 21-year-old African lioness born at the Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve in Krugersdorp, South Africa. Sibili, an 18-year-old male, was born at the Kamo sanctuary, along with his brother Sabie, who is not one of the five big cats left. In an update yesterday, Vallance said the two euthanised lions had untreatable conditions and were deteriorating.
“These decisions were made with deep care and consideration.” She said the wellbeing of the five remaining lions — females Shikira, 21, and Cleo, 19, and males Abdullah, 19, and 18-year-old brothers Timba and Themba — was a priority. “Unfortunately, due to their age, number and complex needs, relocation is not a viable or humane option.” International research suggests lions in captivity may live into their late teens or early twenties. Experts have said the lions cannot be
released into the wild because they lack the hunting and social skills needed to survive. Rehoming them to a zoo, sanctuary or suitably registered welfare centre was unlikely because of their number. “However, there is a glimmer of hope,” Vallance said, with some individuals expressing an interest in buying the sanctuary and continuing to care for the lions. The 32.5ha property was put up for sale in August. Vallance claimed “immense pressure” continued on A3
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