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A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has announced it was forced to euthanise two of its elderly lions, with the outcome of the remaining five lions still unclear, following financial difficulties.

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

In a online post, the establishment indicated that its proprietor had put the property 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 landowner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The staff and I are heartbroken,” said the facility’s manager.

“Even though it may possibly continue as a wildlife attraction under fresh proprietors, such a scenario would require not only the purchase of the land but considerable capital investment,” the operator explained.

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

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were untreatable and were declining. These choices were made with profound consideration and thoughtfulness,” the operator stated.

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

“A few individuals have expressed interest in buying the property and continuing to care for the lions. Even though the deadline is limited and the circumstances remain unresolved, we are doing our utmost to investigate this option and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “feasible or ethical alternative” due to their elderly status, the quantity of animals involved, and their specialized requirements.

The facility’s posts were overwhelmed by messages from the community, requesting a second chance for the other big cats, while former staff members expressed desire that the park would reconsider the course of action to euthanise them.

The operator stated that alongside the sympathetic words and messages of sorrow, she had also encountered menacing and insulting remarks.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she remarked. “We understand that emotions are high, but we request consideration and respect as we navigate this tragic situation.”

The property owner refused to comment.

The regulatory body stated that the decision to put down the big cats was the responsibility of the owners, and that it had been informed of the course of action.

A high-ranking officer commented that humane killing had to be performed ethically, and in compliance with animal welfare law.

“An animal welfare inspector will be present to confirm this is done properly,” the spokesperson noted. “We are assured that the facility continues to meet its animal care and containment requirements.”

The facility gained minor fame in the early part of the century when it was shown on a TV program about a famous animal trainer.

However, it quickly ran into problems. In 2009, a staff member was fatally attacked by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The sanctuary repeatedly encountered financial trouble and staffing problems, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries ordered the establishment to close until the habitats were upgraded. It restarted in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.