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A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has revealed it was obliged to euthanise two of its elderly lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still uncertain, following financial difficulties.

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

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

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

“While it could possibly continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a future would require not only the acquisition of the land but considerable monetary input,” the manager explained.

In a later announcement, the park verified that two of its lions had been humanely killed.

“We recently farewelled two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were not treatable and were deteriorating. These decisions were made with deep care and thoughtfulness,” the manager said.

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

“A handful of parties have shown interest in acquiring the facility and maintaining care for the lions. Even though the timeframe is short and the situation remain uncertain, we are doing all we can to pursue this possibility and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “feasible or humane choice” due to their elderly status, the number of cats involved, and their complex needs.

The facility’s posts were flooded with messages from members of the public, requesting a second chance for the other big cats, while former staff members expressed desire that the facility would review the decision to put them down.

The director stated that amid the kind messages and messages of sorrow, she had also received threatening and abusive comments.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she said. “We recognize that feelings are intense, but we appeal for kindness and courtesy as we navigate this tragic situation.”

The proprietor refused to comment.

The ministry for primary industries clarified that the decision to humanely kill the lions was the responsibility of the owners, and that it had been informed of the intention.

A senior official explained that euthanasia had to be performed ethically, and in compliance with wildlife regulations.

“An regulatory officer will be present to ensure this is done appropriately,” the representative said. “We are confident that the establishment continues to fulfill its animal care and containment responsibilities.”

The park gained minor fame in the early 2000s when it appeared on a broadcast series about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it quickly ran into problems. In 2009, a handler was fatally attacked by a white tiger while carrying out duties.

The park frequently encountered economic issues and workforce challenges, and had multiple owners on several occasions. In 2014, the government agency ordered the park to shut down until the enclosures were improved. It restarted in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.