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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was obliged to euthanise two of its older lions, with the destiny of the other five lions still unclear, following economic struggles.

The privately owned wildlife park in the northern town of Whangārei shut down over the weekend.

In a social media announcement, the facility explained that its proprietor had listed the land up for sale in August, and the seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a tough decision made by the property owner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The team and I are devastated,” stated the park’s director.

“While it could possibly continue as a lion park under new ownership, such a scenario would require not only the purchase of the property but substantial financial backing,” the director noted.

In a later update, the facility announced that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We had to part with Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were untreatable and were worsening. These actions were made with profound consideration and consideration,” the operator remarked.

However, there was a “flicker of optimism” for the other five lions, which the park had earlier indicated would be euthanised.

“A handful of parties have indicated willingness in purchasing the facility and maintaining care for the lions. While the window is short and the circumstances remain uncertain, we are doing all we can to pursue this opportunity and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “viable or compassionate choice” due to their advanced age, the quantity of animals involved, and their complex needs.

The facility’s posts were overwhelmed by messages from the community, pleading for a reprieve for the surviving lions, while ex-employees expressed hope that the sanctuary would reconsider the course of action to put them down.

The manager noted that among the sympathetic words and words of condolence, she had also encountered threatening and insulting comments.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she remarked. “We acknowledge that feelings are intense, but we ask for compassion and respect as we navigate this tragic circumstance.”

The proprietor declined to comment.

The regulatory body clarified that the determination to humanely kill the big cats rested with the landowners, and that it had been informed of the intention.

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

“An regulatory officer will be on location to ensure this is done properly,” the representative said. “We are confident that the facility continues to fulfill its animal care and enclosure responsibilities.”

The sanctuary gained a degree of notoriety in the early part of the century when it appeared on a TV program about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it quickly faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was fatally attacked by a big cat while cleaning its enclosure.

The sanctuary frequently ran into economic issues and staffing problems, and changed ownership multiple times. In 2014, the regulatory body directed the facility to cease operations until the enclosures were upgraded. It resumed operations in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.