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A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was forced to euthanise two of its senior lions, with the fate of the other five lions still unclear, following economic struggles.

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

In a online update, the facility explained 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 put down “following a challenging decision made by the property owner.”

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

“Even though it may possibly continue as a wildlife attraction under new ownership, such a outcome would require not only the acquisition of the land but significant capital investment,” the director noted.

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

“Yesterday we said goodbye Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had significant medical issues that were incurable and were declining. These choices were made with profound consideration and consideration,” the operator remarked.

However, there was a “ray of hope” for the remaining five lions, which the sanctuary had earlier indicated would be put down.

“A few individuals have shown interest in acquiring the property and continuing to care for the lions. While the timeframe is short and the circumstances remain unresolved, we are doing our utmost to explore this opportunity and maintain optimism.”

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

The park’s announcements were flooded with comments from concerned citizens, begging for a second chance for the surviving lions, while past workers expressed optimism that the facility would reconsider the plan to put them down.

The manager stated that alongside the supportive comments and messages of sorrow, she had also encountered threatening and insulting comments.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she remarked. “We understand that emotions are high, but we request compassion and respect as we handle this devastating circumstance.”

The landowner chose not to respond.

The government department clarified that the decision to put down the cats lay with the proprietors, and that it had been advised of the intention.

A deputy director stated that humane killing had to be carried out compassionately, and in compliance with wildlife regulations.

“An compliance official will be onsite to ensure this is done appropriately,” the spokesperson stated. “We are assured that the operation continues to fulfill its animal care and enclosure requirements.”

The park gained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it featured on a broadcast series about a famous animal trainer.

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

The facility often experienced monetary difficulties and employment issues, and changed ownership multiple times. In 2014, the government agency instructed the establishment to cease operations until the habitats were upgraded. It restarted in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.