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

The privately owned wildlife park in the northern town of Whangārei closed its doors over the weekend.

In a online update, the facility explained that its proprietor 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 property owner.”

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

“Although it might possibly continue as a big cat facility under different management, such a outcome would require not only the purchase of the land but significant capital investment,” the director noted.

In a subsequent announcement, the sanctuary announced that two of its lions had been humanely killed.

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had significant medical issues that were incurable and were declining. These decisions were made with deep care and deliberation,” the operator remarked.

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

“A few individuals have shown interest in purchasing the facility and providing for the lions. While the deadline is short and the situation remain uncertain, we are doing everything we can to pursue this option and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “practical or ethical alternative” due to their age, the quantity of animals involved, and their demanding care.

The sanctuary’s updates were flooded with responses from the community, pleading for a second chance for the remaining lions, while former staff members expressed hope that the facility would review the decision to end their lives.

The operator stated that among the kind messages and messages of sorrow, she had also been subjected to threatening and abusive messages.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she remarked. “We acknowledge that feelings are intense, but we request compassion and decency as we manage this devastating situation.”

The landowner refused to comment.

The government department stated that the decision to put down the cats was the responsibility of the landowners, and that it had been notified of the plan.

A high-ranking officer explained that humane killing had to be conducted humanely, and in line with animal protection legislation.

“An compliance official will be onsite to verify this is done appropriately,” the representative noted. “We are assured that the operation continues to fulfill its wildlife protection and containment obligations.”

The sanctuary achieved minor fame in the early part of the century when it featured on a broadcast series about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it quickly ran into problems. In 2009, a handler was killed by a big cat while carrying out duties.

The park repeatedly encountered economic issues and workforce challenges, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the regulatory body instructed the establishment to shut down until the habitats were modernized. It restarted in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.