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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has revealed it was compelled to euthanise two of its elderly lions, with the fate of the other five lions still uncertain, following financial difficulties.

The private wildlife sanctuary in the northern city of Whangārei shut down over the weekend.

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

“No viable alternatives remained. The employees and I are heartbroken,” commented the facility’s manager.

“Even though it may potentially continue as a wildlife attraction under different management, such a outcome would require not only the purchase of the property but substantial financial backing,” the director explained.

In a recent announcement, the sanctuary verified that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“Yesterday we said goodbye Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had grave illnesses that were untreatable and were declining. These choices were made with profound consideration and thoughtfulness,” the director said.

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

“A few individuals have indicated willingness in purchasing the property and continuing to care for the lions. Although the timeframe is limited and the situation remain unclear, we are doing our utmost to investigate this option and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “viable or compassionate option” due to their age, the group size involved, and their complex needs.

The sanctuary’s updates were filled with responses from members of the public, requesting a reprieve for the surviving lions, while ex-employees expressed desire that the sanctuary would rethink the course of action to put them down.

The manager noted that among the sympathetic words and messages of sorrow, she had also been subjected to menacing and offensive comments.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she remarked. “We acknowledge that passions are strong, but we request consideration and respect as we navigate this tragic predicament.”

The proprietor refused to comment.

The government department stated that the choice to put down the lions lay with the landowners, and that it had been notified of the course of action.

A senior official explained that humane killing had to be conducted humanely, and in compliance with animal protection legislation.

“An regulatory officer will be onsite to verify this is done properly,” the spokesperson noted. “We are satisfied that the establishment continues to fulfill its animal welfare and containment responsibilities.”

The sanctuary achieved a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it featured on a TV program about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it quickly faced challenges. In 2009, a keeper was mauled to death by a big cat while cleaning its enclosure.

The facility frequently ran into financial trouble and employment issues, and had multiple owners repeatedly. In 2014, the regulatory body directed the park to close until the enclosures were modernized. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.