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A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has announced it was forced to euthanise two of its older lions, with the outcome of the other five lions still undecided, following monetary problems.

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

In a online announcement, the establishment clarified that its proprietor 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 difficult decision made by the landowner.”

“There were no real options left. The team and I are deeply saddened,” commented the facility’s manager.

“While it could possibly continue as a lion park under fresh proprietors, such a scenario would require not only the purchase of the property but significant capital investment,” the operator explained.

In a recent announcement, the park verified that two of its lions had been put down.

“We recently farewelled two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were incurable and were declining. These decisions were made with profound consideration and thoughtfulness,” the director remarked.

However, there was a “glimmer of hope” for the remaining five lions, which the facility had previously indicated would be humanely killed.

“A few individuals have expressed interest in buying the facility and maintaining care for the lions. Even though the window is tight and the situation remain unclear, we are doing everything we can to investigate this option and hold onto hope.”

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

The facility’s posts were overwhelmed by responses from members of the public, begging for a stay of execution for the surviving lions, while former staff members expressed hope that the facility would review the course of action to put them down.

The manager stated that among the kind messages and words of condolence, she had also encountered menacing and abusive remarks.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she said. “We understand that emotions are high, but we request compassion and courtesy as we navigate this heartbreaking circumstance.”

The property owner refused to comment.

The ministry for primary industries clarified that the choice to euthanise the cats lay with the proprietors, and that it had been informed of the plan.

A high-ranking officer stated that humane killing had to be carried out compassionately, and in compliance with wildlife regulations.

“An compliance official will be on location to verify this is done correctly,” the official stated. “We are assured that the establishment continues to fulfill its animal care and security responsibilities.”

The facility achieved some recognition in the early 2000s when it appeared on a broadcast series about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it rapidly faced challenges. In 2009, a handler was fatally attacked by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The park frequently experienced monetary difficulties and employment issues, and had multiple owners repeatedly. In 2014, the government agency instructed the establishment to close until the habitats were upgraded. It resumed operations in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.