Receivers for Zion Wildlife Gardens say they have agreed to a conditional sale that would keep the park's big cats alive and at home.
The struggling Northland wildlife park was placed into liquidation in August after the High Court at Whangarei found it could not pay debts said to bemore than $100,000.
A lawyers for its operator Patricia Busch has accused receivers PricewaterhouseCoopers of planning to euthanase the park's 36 big cats, which include lions, cheetah and white tigers.
Rabobank New Zealand, who called in receivers to the park, this afternoon denied plans to kill the big cats.
Its New Zealand general manager Ben Russell said a conditional sale contract in place would see the animals remain at the park.
"There is not, and has never been, any intention to euthanize any animals at Zion Wildlife Gardens. The welfare of the wildlife is a priority - they are being very well cared for and the planned sale of the park would enable them to remain in place," he said.
In the High Court at Auckland earlier today, PWC lawyer Justin Toebes sought to postpone providing details of the proposed park sale, but Justice Mark Woolford requested a copy of the offer, which will be presented to the court this afternoon.
It will not disclose commercially sensitive information, such as the name of the prospective buyer.
Mr Toebes also made an application regarding the right of the receivers to enter the park.
Lawyer for park operator Patricia Busch, Evgeny Orlov, said he had anticipated today's hearing to be about whether or not the cats could be put down, and he said Mr Toebes had tried to avoid addressing the issue due to the large media presence in court today.
Mr Orlov said the cats were "suffering" because the receivers were interfering with the running of the park.
"Every day these court proceedings continue, the fate of the animals lies in the balance."
Mr Toebes said this was "totally untrue".
Mr Orlov sought to have all matters adjourned until a scheduled two-day hearing in the High Court at Whangarei in February
