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A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has announced it was compelled to put down two of its older lions, with the destiny of the remaining five lions still uncertain, following economic struggles.

The privately owned wildlife park in the northern city of Whangārei ceased operations over the past weekend.

In a social media update, the facility indicated that its owner had put the property up for sale in August, and the seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a tough decision made by the landowner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The team and I are devastated,” stated the park’s director.

“While it could possibly continue as a wildlife attraction under fresh proprietors, such a outcome would require not only the purchase of the property but considerable financial backing,” the operator added.

In a subsequent statement, the park verified that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We had to part with Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had significant medical issues that were incurable and were worsening. These actions were made with deep care and deliberation,” the operator stated.

However, there was a “ray of hope” for the other five lions, which the park had previously indicated would be humanely killed.

“A few individuals have shown interest in purchasing the property and providing for the lions. Although the window is tight and the conditions remain uncertain, we are doing all we can to explore this possibility and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “viable or compassionate option” due to their elderly status, the quantity of animals involved, and their specialized requirements.

The park’s announcements were filled with messages from the community, pleading for a reprieve for the remaining lions, while former staff members expressed hope that the park would rethink the decision to end their lives.

The manager stated that alongside the kind messages and expressions of sympathy, she had also received menacing and offensive comments.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she commented. “We recognize that emotions are high, but we ask for consideration and decency as we navigate this devastating situation.”

The property owner refused to comment.

The ministry for primary industries indicated that the choice to put down the lions was the responsibility of the landowners, and that it had been informed of the intention.

A senior official commented that humane killing had to be performed humanely, and in accordance with wildlife regulations.

“An compliance official will be onsite to confirm this is done properly,” the official stated. “We are confident that the establishment continues to fulfill its animal welfare and enclosure obligations.”

The sanctuary attained minor fame in the early 2000s when it appeared on a TV program about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it rapidly encountered difficulties. In 2009, a staff member was fatally attacked by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The facility repeatedly experienced financial trouble and employment issues, and changed ownership on several occasions. In 2014, the government agency directed the facility to shut down until the habitats were modernized. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.