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A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has announced it was compelled to humanely kill two of its elderly lions, with the fate of the other five lions still unclear, following monetary problems.

The private wildlife sanctuary in the northern town of Whangārei closed its doors over the past weekend.

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

“No viable alternatives remained. The employees and I are devastated,” said the park’s director.

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

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

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were not treatable and were deteriorating. These choices were made with profound consideration and thoughtfulness,” the operator remarked.

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

“A handful of parties have shown interest in purchasing the facility and providing for the lions. While the timeframe is tight and the conditions remain uncertain, we are doing all we can to explore this possibility and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “practical or humane alternative” due to their age, the quantity of animals involved, and their complex needs.

The facility’s posts were filled with responses from members of the public, requesting a stay of execution for the remaining lions, while former staff members expressed optimism that the sanctuary would rethink the plan to put them down.

The manager mentioned that amid the supportive comments and messages of sorrow, she had also encountered menacing and abusive messages.

“This is deeply distressing,” she commented. “We recognize that feelings are intense, but we ask for compassion and respect as we handle this devastating circumstance.”

The landowner declined to comment.

The ministry for primary industries stated that the choice to euthanise the big cats lay with the proprietors, and that it had been informed of the intention.

A deputy director explained that putting down had to be conducted compassionately, and in line with animal protection legislation.

“An compliance official will be onsite to confirm this is done correctly,” the official said. “We are satisfied that the operation continues to satisfy its animal care and containment responsibilities.”

The sanctuary gained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it featured on a broadcast series about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it rapidly encountered difficulties. In 2009, a staff member was mauled to death by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The facility frequently experienced monetary difficulties and employment issues, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries ordered the park to cease operations until the enclosures were improved. It restarted in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.