Lions at Whangārei's Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary, which was placed in liquidation earlier this year and closed to the public on 2 November. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro
An animal rescue group is still racing against the clock to save five lions due to be put down at a Whangārei animal park.
HUHA founder Carolyn Press-McKenzie said her group was working with the owners of Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary, the real estate agent and potential buyers.
She was also working with a group of "high net worth individuals" who were looking at buying the park together.
"They're amazing, they're very much professional, organised animal lovers, and obviously investors as well. It's just going to come down to if we can get this done fast enough. So the time pressure is very real and still very much there," she said.
The park's owners, Bolton Equities, originally intended to euthanise the five remaining lions last week.
Press-McKenzie said the deadline for the big cats had been extended, and she was in contact with the owners day by day.
Lions at the Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro
Two ageing lions, Imvula and Sabili, were put down last Wednesday due to what the owners described as age and deteriorating health.
Other potential buyers were waiting in the wings in case the current plan could not go ahead, but Press-McKenzie said it was vital to find someone who was "the right fit" and could follow through on promises to safeguard the lions.
"It's still open to anyone else who wants to drop their hat in the ring, because it's going to come down to not just the fastest deal, but also what's best for the lions. We need to consider everything but the lions' future is our primary concern."
The wildlife park, which was founded by Craig "Lion Man" Busch and has had a turbulent history, was placed in liquidation earlier this year and closed to the public on 2 November.
At its peak it was home to more than 30 lions, tigers, leopards and cheetahs.
Meanwhile, Bolton Equities director Laurie Margrain said efforts were continuing to find a solution and allow the remaining lions to be supported "a little longer".
He said the company had paid for the lions' upkeep for the past 12 years at a cost of more than $10 million.
"It's possible that another benefactor can be found to continue for their limited life span left. Nothing concrete has been tabled to date," he said.
The company earlier stated the ageing lions were only expected to live for another 6 to 12 months.
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