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A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has revealed it was obliged to put down two of its elderly lions, with the fate of the other five lions still undecided, following financial difficulties.

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

In a online announcement, the establishment indicated that its owner had listed the land up for sale in August, and the seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “after a challenging decision made by the property owner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The team and I are heartbroken,” commented the sanctuary’s operator.

“Even though it may possibly 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 explained.

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

“We recently farewelled Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were incurable and were declining. These actions were made with utmost compassion and consideration,” the director remarked.

However, there was a “ray of hope” for the other five lions, which the park had previously indicated would be humanely killed.

“A handful of parties have indicated willingness in acquiring the property and providing for the lions. Even though the timeframe is limited and the situation remain unclear, we are doing our utmost to explore this opportunity and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “feasible or humane option” due to their elderly status, the quantity of animals involved, and their specialized requirements.

The sanctuary’s updates were flooded with messages from concerned citizens, begging for a second chance for the surviving lions, while past workers expressed desire that the sanctuary would review the course of action to end their lives.

The manager mentioned that amid the kind messages and words of condolence, she had also received hostile and insulting messages.

“This is deeply distressing,” she commented. “We acknowledge that emotions are high, but we request kindness and courtesy as we handle this tragic situation.”

The property owner declined to comment.

The regulatory body indicated that the decision to euthanise the lions rested with the landowners, and that it had been advised of the course of action.

A deputy director explained that humane killing had to be conducted ethically, and in line with animal protection legislation.

“An compliance official will be onsite to verify this is done properly,” the official noted. “We are satisfied that the operation continues to fulfill its animal welfare and enclosure obligations.”

The park gained some recognition in the early part of the century when it appeared on a broadcast series about a well-known lion tamer.

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

The facility frequently ran into economic issues and employment issues, and changed ownership repeatedly. In 2014, the government agency ordered the park to cease operations until the facilities were upgraded. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.