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A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has stated it was compelled to euthanise two of its older lions, with the destiny of the remaining five lions still undecided, following monetary problems.

The privately owned wildlife park in the northern town of Whangārei shut down over the past weekend.

In a online update, the facility explained 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 put down “following a difficult decision made by the property owner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The team and I are heartbroken,” stated the sanctuary’s operator.

“Although it might potentially continue as a big cat facility under new ownership, such a future would require not only the purchase of the land but considerable monetary input,” the director added.

In a later update, the park announced that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We recently farewelled Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were not treatable and were worsening. These choices were made with utmost compassion and consideration,” the director stated.

However, there was a “flicker of optimism” for the other five lions, which the facility had earlier indicated would be euthanised.

“A few individuals have indicated willingness in purchasing the property and continuing to care for the lions. While the deadline is limited and the situation remain unresolved, we are doing all we can to investigate this possibility and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “feasible or humane alternative” due to their advanced age, the group size involved, and their demanding care.

The park’s announcements were filled with responses from the community, begging for a reprieve for the surviving lions, while ex-employees expressed desire that the facility would rethink the course of action to put them down.

The director mentioned that amid the kind messages and expressions of sympathy, she had also encountered threatening and abusive remarks.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she remarked. “We recognize that feelings are intense, but we ask for compassion and decency as we navigate this devastating predicament.”

The landowner refused to comment.

The ministry for primary industries stated that the choice to put down the cats lay with the owners, and that it had been notified of the course of action.

A senior official explained that humane killing had to be carried out ethically, and in accordance with wildlife regulations.

“An compliance official will be on location to verify this is done correctly,” the official noted. “We are assured that the operation continues to fulfill its animal welfare and enclosure responsibilities.”

The facility achieved some recognition in the early 2000s when it appeared on a television show about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it rapidly ran into problems. In 2009, a handler was fatally attacked by a big cat while carrying out duties.

The sanctuary often ran into monetary difficulties and employment issues, and switched proprietors repeatedly. In 2014, the regulatory body ordered the park to shut down until the enclosures were modernized. It reopened in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.