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A financially troubled wildlife park in New Zealand has announced it was forced to put down two of its elderly lions, with the destiny of the other five lions still uncertain, following financial difficulties.

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

In a social media announcement, the facility indicated that its owner had put the property up for sale in August, and the seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a challenging decision made by the landowner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The employees and I are deeply saddened,” commented the sanctuary’s operator.

“Although it might potentially continue as a lion park under different management, such a future would require not only the acquisition of the property but significant capital investment,” the manager noted.

In a later announcement, the park confirmed that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We recently farewelled Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had significant medical issues that were untreatable and were worsening. These decisions were made with deep care and consideration,” the operator stated.

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

“A handful of parties have shown interest in purchasing the facility and continuing to care for the lions. Although the window is limited and the situation remain uncertain, we are doing all we can to pursue this opportunity and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “feasible or compassionate option” due to their elderly status, the group size involved, and their specialized requirements.

The sanctuary’s updates were filled with comments from concerned citizens, pleading for a reprieve for the remaining lions, while ex-employees expressed desire that the sanctuary would review the plan to put them down.

The operator stated that among the sympathetic words and messages of sorrow, she had also received threatening and offensive messages.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she said. “We acknowledge that feelings are intense, but we request compassion and decency as we manage this devastating predicament.”

The proprietor declined to comment.

The government department stated that the determination to humanely kill the cats lay with the owners, and that it had been notified of the course of action.

A senior official stated that putting down had to be conducted humanely, and in accordance with animal welfare law.

“An animal welfare inspector will be onsite to verify this is done appropriately,” the official stated. “We are confident that the facility continues to fulfill its animal welfare and security requirements.”

The sanctuary achieved minor fame in the early 2000s when it featured on a TV program about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it rapidly ran into problems. In 2009, a staff member was fatally attacked by a big cat while carrying out duties.

The sanctuary often ran into economic issues and workforce challenges, and changed ownership repeatedly. In 2014, the regulatory body ordered the facility to cease operations until the habitats were upgraded. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.