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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was compelled to put down two of its elderly lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still unclear, following financial difficulties.

The private wildlife sanctuary in the northern city of Whangārei shut down over the past weekend.

In a social media announcement, the establishment indicated that its proprietor had put the property up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “following a tough decision made by the landowner.”

“There were no real options left. The employees and I are devastated,” said the facility’s manager.

“While it could possibly continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a future would require not only the acquisition of the property but substantial capital investment,” the director noted.

In a subsequent announcement, the facility confirmed that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We recently farewelled two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were incurable and were declining. These actions were made with utmost compassion and deliberation,” the manager said.

However, there was a “flicker of optimism” for the remaining five lions, which the park had earlier indicated would be put down.

“A several interested parties have expressed interest in buying the establishment and providing for the lions. While the window is tight and the conditions remain unclear, we are doing our utmost to investigate this possibility and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “viable or ethical choice” due to their advanced age, the quantity of animals involved, and their demanding care.

The park’s announcements were overwhelmed by messages from members of the public, requesting a second chance for the remaining lions, while past workers expressed hope that the sanctuary would reconsider the course of action to euthanise them.

The operator noted that alongside the kind messages and words of condolence, she had also received menacing and offensive comments.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she remarked. “We acknowledge that emotions are high, but we request consideration and courtesy as we manage this heartbreaking circumstance.”

The landowner refused to comment.

The government department stated that the decision to put down the lions rested with the proprietors, and that it had been notified of the plan.

A senior official explained that humane killing had to be conducted humanely, and in compliance with animal welfare law.

“An compliance official will be present to confirm this is done properly,” the spokesperson noted. “We are assured that the operation continues to meet its animal welfare and containment obligations.”

The sanctuary gained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it appeared on a television show about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it rapidly faced challenges. In 2009, a keeper was killed by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The sanctuary repeatedly ran into monetary difficulties and staffing problems, and switched proprietors multiple times. In 2014, the government agency directed the establishment to close until the enclosures were upgraded. It resumed operations in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.