Abdullah, one of the last five remaining lions at Whangārei’s Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary, was put to sleep on Wednesday due to long-standing respiratory issues that left him struggling to breathe.
Abdullah, one of the last five remaining lions at Whangārei’s Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary, was put to sleep on Wednesday due to long-standing respiratory issues that left him struggling to breathe.
Months after taking over the care of the five remaining lions at Whangārei’s Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary, animal rescue organisation Huha has had to euthanise one of the elderly lions, Abdullah, because of serious respiratory issues.
Huha brought a group of investors together to buy the park afternews broke late last year that the big cats would be put down as a result of the sanctuary’s closure and sale.
Two lions, Imvula and Sibili, were put down in November after they were reported to have untreatable conditions. Wellington-based Huha [Helping You Help Animals] was determined to save the five remaining lions: Shikira, Cleo, Abdullah, Timba and Themba.
Huha founder Carolyn Press-McKenzie said today they had to put Abdullah to sleep because his condition made breathing difficult, which was causing other issues and stress.
“It’s really sad that the vets had to make that tough decision, but it’s really in Abdullah’s best interests. He is old, over 20, and has had long-standing respiratory issues that sadly have not been treated as well as they should have been and while the incredible vets have done everything in their power to help Abdullah, he needs to go to sleep,’’ Press-McKenzie said.
“It’s absolutely devastating for us all. The motivation for us [in taking over the lions] was to give them the respect and care that they need, and part of that, sadly, is euthanisation if needed.”
Huha set up the Lionhearts Project to look after the lions and launched a Givealittle campaign to help, and Press-McKenzie said through Lionhearts the public can help with the ongoing care for the remaining four lions.
“However, Timba has also had some health issues, needing a lot of care, but we are hopeful that with the right care ongoing he can continue to live a comfortable life here.”
The remaining lions were moving into new, upgraded facilities completed by the previous owners , and Press-McKenzie said the new area provided a good, safe and interesting environment for them to see out their days.
Huha and Lionhearts were asking people to sponsor the lions to help keep them safe and well looked after long into the future.
She said there was a lot of public interest and love for the lions and their future, and it was hoped that the park could open again in the future, but it would likely be special one-off occasions rather than a full public opening.
Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary
“We understand that there is a big family out there that cares so much about the lions. We do not want to do anything that overwhelms the lions so it may be that we have special open days for sponsors and others, but that will depend on how the lions are doing and we have to keep their best interests at heart,” she said.
Press-McKenzie said having to euthanise a lion was heartbreaking for all concerned, but it was not in Abdullah’s best interests to keep him alive andin pain.
By 2006, the park faced financial difficulties, with Busch accepting a bailout from his mother, Patricia Busch, who became the sole director. Her son was later dismissed in 2008.
This incident led to temporary closure and safety upgrades. Then, in 2013, Patricia Busch lost control of the park to a finance company because of mortgage defaults.
The Advocate reported that Auckland-based Bolton Equities bought the property in 2014 and invested $9m in upgrades to meet Ministry for Primary Industries [MPI] requirements.
The park business reopened under new management in 2021 under the brand Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary but went into involuntary liquidation two years later. It remained open to the public until late last year.
