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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was forced to humanely kill two of its older lions, with the outcome of the remaining five lions still unclear, following monetary problems.

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

In a online post, the facility clarified that its owner had listed the land up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “following a tough decision made by the landowner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The employees and I are deeply saddened,” said the sanctuary’s operator.

“While it could potentially continue as a big cat facility under new ownership, such a future would require not only the purchase of the land but substantial capital investment,” the manager noted.

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

“We recently farewelled two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were not treatable and were declining. These choices were made with deep care and consideration,” the director remarked.

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

“A few individuals have expressed interest in acquiring the establishment and providing for the lions. Although the deadline is limited and the situation remain unclear, we are doing all we can to pursue this opportunity and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “feasible or compassionate option” due to their elderly status, the quantity of animals involved, and their specialized requirements.

The sanctuary’s updates were overwhelmed by responses from members of the public, pleading for a second chance for the other big cats, while former staff members expressed optimism that the park would rethink the decision to put them down.

The operator mentioned that amid the kind messages and expressions of sympathy, she had also encountered hostile and abusive comments.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she said. “We acknowledge that passions are strong, but we request consideration and courtesy as we handle this tragic circumstance.”

The proprietor chose not to respond.

The government department stated that the decision to put down the lions was the responsibility of the proprietors, and that it had been notified of the course of action.

A deputy director explained that euthanasia had to be carried out humanely, and in compliance with animal welfare law.

“An animal welfare inspector will be on location to confirm this is done appropriately,” the spokesperson noted. “We are confident that the establishment continues to fulfill its wildlife protection and security obligations.”

The sanctuary gained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it appeared on a television show about a famous animal trainer.

However, it soon encountered difficulties. In 2009, a handler was killed by a white tiger while performing maintenance.

The park repeatedly ran into financial trouble and staffing problems, and switched proprietors on several occasions. In 2014, the government agency instructed the establishment to close until the habitats were upgraded. It reopened in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.