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A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was forced to humanely kill two of its elderly lions, with the destiny of the remaining five lions still undecided, following financial difficulties.

The private wildlife reserve in the northern town of Whangārei shut down over the weekend.

In a social media update, the establishment explained 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 euthanised “after a difficult decision made by the property owner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The team and I are deeply saddened,” stated the facility’s manager.

“Even though it may potentially continue as a lion park under new ownership, such a scenario would require not only the purchase of the property but significant monetary input,” the operator noted.

In a recent update, the facility announced that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“Yesterday we said goodbye Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had significant medical issues that were untreatable and were worsening. These actions were made with deep care and deliberation,” the manager remarked.

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

“A several interested parties have shown interest in purchasing the establishment and continuing to care for the lions. Even though the timeframe is limited and the situation remain unclear, we are doing our utmost to explore this option and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “viable or humane option” due to their advanced age, the number of cats involved, and their specialized requirements.

The sanctuary’s updates were overwhelmed by responses from the community, begging for a second chance for the remaining lions, while past workers expressed optimism that the sanctuary would review the course of action to end their lives.

The manager noted that among the kind messages and messages of sorrow, she had also encountered threatening and offensive messages.

“This is deeply distressing,” she remarked. “We acknowledge that passions are strong, but we ask for compassion and courtesy as we navigate this devastating predicament.”

The proprietor chose not to respond.

The government department indicated that the decision to euthanise the big cats was the responsibility of the landowners, and that it had been informed of the course of action.

A senior official explained that euthanasia had to be conducted humanely, and in line with animal welfare law.

“An regulatory officer will be present to confirm this is done appropriately,” the official noted. “We are satisfied that the operation continues to fulfill its animal care and enclosure responsibilities.”

The facility attained some recognition in the early 2000s when it appeared on a television show about a famous animal trainer.

However, it quickly faced challenges. In 2009, a handler was mauled to death by a big cat while cleaning its enclosure.

The park often ran into monetary difficulties and workforce challenges, and had multiple owners repeatedly. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries ordered the establishment to shut down until the enclosures were improved. It resumed operations in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.