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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has announced it was obliged to humanely kill two of its senior lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still undecided, following monetary problems.

The private wildlife sanctuary in the northern town of Whangārei ceased operations over the weekend.

In a online announcement, the facility indicated 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 “after a difficult decision made by the property owner.”

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

“Even though it may possibly continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a future would require not only the acquisition of the property but considerable monetary input,” the director noted.

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

“We recently farewelled Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were incurable and were worsening. These actions were made with profound consideration and consideration,” the manager stated.

However, there was a “glimmer of hope” for the other five lions, which the park had previously indicated would be put down.

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

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “viable or ethical choice” due to their advanced age, the number of cats involved, and their complex needs.

The sanctuary’s updates were flooded with messages from concerned citizens, begging for a stay of execution for the other big cats, while past workers expressed hope that the sanctuary would reconsider the course of action to end their lives.

The director noted that among the supportive comments and words of condolence, she had also encountered hostile and insulting messages.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she remarked. “We understand that passions are strong, but we appeal for compassion and decency as we manage this heartbreaking circumstance.”

The property owner refused to comment.

The government department clarified that the decision to put down the lions rested with the proprietors, and that it had been notified of the intention.

A deputy director explained that euthanasia had to be carried out ethically, and in compliance with animal welfare law.

“An animal welfare inspector will be onsite to confirm this is done appropriately,” the official noted. “We are confident that the operation continues to fulfill its wildlife protection and enclosure obligations.”

The facility gained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it appeared on a TV program about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it quickly ran into problems. In 2009, a keeper was fatally attacked by a white tiger while performing maintenance.

The sanctuary often encountered financial trouble and employment issues, and switched proprietors multiple times. In 2014, the regulatory body instructed the facility to cease operations until the habitats were modernized. It reopened in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.