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A financially troubled wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was obliged to put down two of its senior lions, with the fate of the other five lions still uncertain, following economic struggles.

The privately owned wildlife reserve in the northern city of Whangārei closed its doors over the weekend.

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

“There were no real options left. The staff and I are deeply saddened,” commented the sanctuary’s operator.

“Although it might potentially continue as a lion park under new ownership, such a future would require not only the purchase of the land but substantial monetary input,” the manager explained.

In a later update, the sanctuary confirmed that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We recently farewelled Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were incurable and were deteriorating. These actions were made with utmost compassion and consideration,” the director remarked.

However, there was a “glimmer of hope” for the other five lions, which the facility had earlier indicated would be humanely killed.

“A few individuals have expressed interest in buying the property and continuing to care for the lions. Even though the timeframe is limited and the conditions remain unresolved, we are doing all we can to investigate this possibility and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “practical or humane option” due to their elderly status, the quantity of animals involved, and their complex needs.

The park’s announcements were filled with responses from the community, requesting a reprieve for the surviving lions, while former staff members expressed desire that the sanctuary would reconsider the plan to euthanise them.

The director noted that amid the supportive comments and expressions of sympathy, she had also encountered hostile and abusive remarks.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she commented. “We understand that feelings are intense, but we request compassion and respect as we handle this heartbreaking situation.”

The property owner declined to comment.

The regulatory body clarified that the decision to euthanise the big cats rested with the proprietors, and that it had been informed of the plan.

A high-ranking officer commented that putting down had to be performed humanely, and in accordance with wildlife regulations.

“An compliance official will be present to ensure this is done appropriately,” the official said. “We are satisfied that the establishment continues to satisfy its wildlife protection and containment requirements.”

The sanctuary attained minor fame in the early 2000s when it was shown on a television show about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it quickly faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was killed by a white tiger while performing maintenance.

The facility repeatedly encountered economic issues and employment issues, and changed ownership on several occasions. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries instructed the establishment to shut down until the enclosures were modernized. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.