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A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was compelled to put down two of its elderly lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still unclear, following monetary problems.

The privately owned wildlife sanctuary in the northern town of Whangārei ceased operations over the past weekend.

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

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

“While it could potentially continue as a big cat facility under different management, such a future would require not only the acquisition of the land but substantial monetary input,” the director noted.

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

“We had to part with Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had grave illnesses that were not treatable and were declining. These decisions were made with profound consideration and thoughtfulness,” the director said.

However, there was a “glimmer of hope” for the remaining five lions, which the facility had earlier indicated would be humanely killed.

“A handful of parties have expressed interest in purchasing the property and providing for the lions. Even though the deadline is tight and the circumstances remain uncertain, we are doing all we can to explore this opportunity and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “feasible or compassionate choice” due to their age, the number of cats involved, and their complex needs.

The park’s announcements were filled with comments from members of the public, requesting a second chance for the surviving lions, while former staff members expressed desire that the park would review the course of action to put them down.

The director stated that among the supportive comments and messages of sorrow, she had also been subjected to menacing and insulting remarks.

“This is deeply distressing,” she commented. “We recognize that passions are strong, but we ask for consideration and courtesy as we navigate this tragic circumstance.”

The property owner refused to comment.

The ministry for primary industries stated that the determination to euthanise the big cats was the responsibility of the proprietors, and that it had been notified of the plan.

A senior official commented that putting down had to be performed humanely, and in line with animal welfare law.

“An compliance official will be onsite to ensure this is done correctly,” the official noted. “We are assured that the operation continues to meet its wildlife protection and enclosure requirements.”

The park attained some recognition in the early 2000s when it appeared on a broadcast series about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it quickly faced challenges. In 2009, a keeper was fatally attacked by a big cat while carrying out duties.

The facility frequently encountered economic issues and workforce challenges, and changed ownership on several occasions. In 2014, the government agency instructed the park to shut down until the facilities were modernized. It reopened in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.