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A financially troubled wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has revealed it was compelled to humanely kill two of its elderly lions, with the destiny of the other five lions still unclear, following economic struggles.

The private wildlife park in the northern town of Whangārei ceased operations over the weekend.

In a social media announcement, the establishment clarified that its proprietor had put the property up for sale in August, and the seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a difficult decision made by the property owner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The employees and I are deeply saddened,” stated the facility’s manager.

“While it could possibly continue as a big cat facility under new ownership, such a future would require not only the purchase of the property but considerable capital investment,” the operator added.

In a later update, the park confirmed that two of its lions had been put down.

“We had to part with Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were not treatable and were deteriorating. These decisions were made with deep care and thoughtfulness,” the director remarked.

However, there was a “glimmer of hope” for the remaining five lions, which the park had earlier indicated would be euthanised.

“A few individuals have shown interest in acquiring the establishment and continuing to care for the lions. Even though the deadline is short and the conditions remain uncertain, we are doing all we can to pursue this opportunity and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “practical or compassionate choice” due to their elderly status, the number of cats involved, and their specialized requirements.

The facility’s posts were flooded with comments from members of the public, begging for a second chance for the remaining lions, while ex-employees expressed optimism that the park would review the plan to euthanise them.

The operator mentioned that among the supportive comments and messages of sorrow, she had also received menacing and abusive messages.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she said. “We acknowledge that emotions are high, but we ask for compassion and respect as we handle this devastating situation.”

The landowner chose not to respond.

The government department indicated that the determination to euthanise the big cats lay with the owners, and that it had been notified of the intention.

A senior official explained that putting down had to be performed humanely, and in accordance with animal protection legislation.

“An regulatory officer will be onsite to ensure this is done properly,” the representative stated. “We are confident that the establishment continues to fulfill its animal welfare and containment requirements.”

The park achieved some recognition in the early 2000s when it appeared on a TV program about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it quickly faced challenges. In 2009, a keeper was mauled to death by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The park often experienced monetary difficulties and staffing problems, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the government agency ordered the facility to shut down until the habitats were improved. It resumed operations in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.