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Former pokies addict Michael Demchy on his struggle with gambling away a fortune in machines. (Video first published in 2018)
Wellington is poised to begin its long, slow ditching of pokie machines in a move that one city councillor believes will lead to a capital city without a single one of the “dirty money” machines. Tamatha Paul, the councillor pushing for the “sinking lid” pokie policy, and opposing councillor Simon Woolf are in agreement on one thing – the vote for a sinking-lid policy this Thursday is all but certain to pass. Barring any last-minute changes of heart, a Wellington City Council committee will agree to the policy, meaning all existing pokie machine venues can keep operating, but no new permits will be issued and, over time, this will theoretically lead to fewer gambling machines.
News from Wellington Zoo
We are very sad to announce that we had to make the incredibly tough decision to euthanise our elderly lionesses, Zahra and Djane today.
As these cats were almost 20 years old, our animal care and veterinary teams had been closely monitoring both Lionesses over the past 18 months due to age-related health concerns.
Over the weekend Zoo Keepers had observed dramatic changes to Djane’s demeanour and she had become disinterested in her food. After an emergency procedure on Monday, we were hopeful about Djane’s recovery, however her health continued to deteriorate quickly and the decision to euthanise Djane was made today.
Following the procedure, her sister Zahra was also euthanised on animal welfare grounds.
Wellington Zoo
Djane’s health declined after an investigative medical procedure under general anaesthetic, and the decision was made to euthanise her and her sister on welfare grounds on Thursday. “Lions are incredibly social and family orientated animals, and Zahra’s welfare would have been severely compromised if she was left to live as a solitary lion,” Thomas said. Animal welfare was always at the core of the zoo’s work, she said, and “these decisions are never easy”. Moving Zahra to another zoo was not an option. “Zahra would not be accepted into another pride of lions, and the stress caused by moving an elderly lion, as well as introducing her to other lions would be irresponsible and dangerous to Zahra’s health and wellbeing.”
Wellington Zoo euthanises two lions due to health issues
Djane and Zahra were euthanised today at the age of 19. Photo / Wellington Zoo
Wellington Zoo euthanises two lions due to health issues
Two elderly lionesses at Wellington Zoo have been euthanised today due to health issues.
The zoo has now been left with no lions after Djane and Zahra were euthanised.
Both lions had been closely monitored by animal care and veterinary staff over the past 18 months due to age-related health concerns, however Djane s health recently deteriorated. The zoo s animal care and veterinary teams have been closely monitoring Djane s health over the last few days, as the team had observed dramatic changes to Djane s demeanour and she had become disinterested in her food, said animal care manager Jo Thomas.