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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has announced it was compelled to humanely kill two of its senior lions, with the fate of the other five lions still unclear, following financial difficulties.

The private wildlife sanctuary in the northern city of Whangārei shut down over the past weekend.

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

“There were no real options left. The employees and I are devastated,” commented the facility’s manager.

“Although it might possibly continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a outcome would require not only the purchase of the land but significant capital investment,” the operator explained.

In a subsequent announcement, the park verified that two of its lions had been put down.

“We recently farewelled Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had grave illnesses that were not treatable and were deteriorating. These decisions were made with deep care and consideration,” the operator stated.

However, there was a “ray of hope” for the other five lions, which the facility had previously indicated would be put down.

“A few individuals have shown interest in acquiring the establishment and maintaining care for the lions. Even though the deadline is limited and the situation remain uncertain, we are doing everything we can to explore this possibility and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “viable or humane choice” due to their advanced age, the group size involved, and their specialized requirements.

The sanctuary’s updates were flooded with comments from the community, begging for a stay of execution for the remaining lions, while former staff members expressed hope that the facility would review the plan to end their lives.

The manager mentioned that among the supportive comments and expressions of sympathy, she had also been subjected to menacing and abusive remarks.

“This is deeply distressing,” she commented. “We understand that feelings are intense, but we ask for consideration and respect as we manage this heartbreaking circumstance.”

The landowner refused to comment.

The regulatory body clarified that the determination to put down the big cats was the responsibility of the landowners, and that it had been advised of the intention.

A senior official stated that euthanasia had to be performed humanely, and in line with animal protection legislation.

“An regulatory officer will be present to verify this is done appropriately,” the spokesperson noted. “We are satisfied that the facility continues to fulfill its animal welfare and security requirements.”

The park gained some recognition in the early 2000s when it appeared on a broadcast series about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it soon faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was fatally attacked by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The facility frequently ran into financial trouble and staffing problems, and switched proprietors multiple times. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries ordered the establishment to close until the facilities were upgraded. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.