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A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was obliged to put down two of its senior lions, with the destiny of the remaining five lions still uncertain, following monetary problems.

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

In a social media announcement, the establishment clarified that its owner had listed the land up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “following a tough decision made by the property owner.”

“There were no real options left. The staff and I are deeply saddened,” said the park’s director.

“Although it might potentially continue as a wildlife attraction under different management, such a future would require not only the acquisition of the property but significant capital investment,” the director added.

In a subsequent statement, the park announced that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We had to part with Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had significant medical issues that were untreatable and were worsening. These choices were made with profound consideration and consideration,” the operator stated.

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

“A few individuals have shown interest in purchasing the facility and providing for the lions. While the window is tight and the situation remain unclear, we are doing all we can to investigate this opportunity and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “feasible or ethical alternative” due to their age, the group size involved, and their specialized requirements.

The sanctuary’s updates were filled with responses from the community, requesting a reprieve for the remaining lions, while ex-employees expressed hope that the park would rethink the plan to euthanise them.

The operator stated that amid the supportive comments and words of condolence, she had also encountered menacing and abusive comments.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she said. “We recognize that passions are strong, but we request compassion and decency as we handle this heartbreaking circumstance.”

The proprietor refused to comment.

The ministry for primary industries stated that the decision to put down the lions lay with the landowners, and that it had been notified of the plan.

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

“An compliance official will be onsite to verify this is done properly,” the spokesperson stated. “We are assured that the facility continues to fulfill its animal care and containment responsibilities.”

The sanctuary gained a degree of notoriety in the early part of the century when it featured on a TV program about a famous animal trainer.

However, it rapidly ran into problems. In 2009, a keeper was killed by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The sanctuary repeatedly encountered economic issues and staffing problems, and had multiple owners repeatedly. In 2014, the regulatory body directed the park to close until the habitats were modernized. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.