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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was obliged to humanely kill two of its older lions, with the destiny of the other five lions still unclear, following financial difficulties.

The privately owned wildlife sanctuary in the northern city of Whangārei closed its doors over the weekend.

In a online post, the establishment explained that its owner had listed the land up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “following a difficult decision made by the property owner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The team and I are deeply saddened,” commented the sanctuary’s operator.

“Even though it may possibly continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a outcome would require not only the acquisition of the land but substantial financial backing,” the manager noted.

In a subsequent update, the facility verified that two of its lions had been put down.

“Yesterday we said goodbye Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were untreatable and were deteriorating. These choices were made with utmost compassion and consideration,” the operator remarked.

However, there was a “ray of hope” for the other five lions, which the sanctuary had previously indicated would be put down.

“A handful of parties have shown interest in acquiring the property and maintaining care for the lions. While the timeframe is short and the circumstances remain unresolved, we are doing our utmost to pursue this option and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “practical or compassionate option” due to their age, the group size involved, and their demanding care.

The facility’s posts were overwhelmed by comments from members of the public, requesting a second chance for the surviving lions, while past workers expressed optimism that the facility would review the plan to end their lives.

The director noted that amid the kind messages and expressions of sympathy, she had also been subjected to threatening and offensive comments.

“This is deeply distressing,” she commented. “We understand that passions are strong, but we request kindness and respect as we handle this heartbreaking situation.”

The landowner refused to comment.

The government department indicated that the choice to euthanise the big cats rested with the landowners, and that it had been notified of the course of action.

A high-ranking officer stated that putting down had to be conducted ethically, and in accordance with animal welfare law.

“An animal welfare inspector will be onsite to ensure this is done correctly,” the representative stated. “We are confident that the facility continues to fulfill its wildlife protection and security requirements.”

The sanctuary attained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it featured on a broadcast series about a famous animal trainer.

However, it quickly ran into problems. In 2009, a handler was fatally attacked by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The facility repeatedly encountered financial trouble and workforce challenges, and had multiple owners on several occasions. In 2014, the government agency directed the facility to close until the facilities were modernized. It resumed operations in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.