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A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has stated it was compelled to humanely kill two of its senior lions, with the fate of the other five lions still unclear, following monetary problems.

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

In a social media announcement, the establishment indicated that its proprietor 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 tough decision made by the property owner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The staff and I are deeply saddened,” commented the park’s director.

“While it could possibly continue as a lion park under new ownership, such a future would require not only the purchase of the property but considerable financial backing,” the manager added.

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

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were incurable and were worsening. These decisions were made with profound consideration and consideration,” the manager said.

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

“A several interested parties have indicated willingness in acquiring the property and maintaining care for the lions. Although the deadline is short and the conditions remain unresolved, we are doing all we can to pursue this option and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “practical or compassionate choice” due to their advanced age, the group size involved, and their specialized requirements.

The facility’s posts were flooded with responses from members of the public, requesting a reprieve for the other big cats, while former staff members expressed hope that the sanctuary would review the plan to put them down.

The operator noted that among the sympathetic words and messages of sorrow, she had also encountered hostile and insulting messages.

“This is deeply distressing,” she commented. “We understand that passions are strong, but we request compassion and courtesy as we handle this tragic predicament.”

The property owner refused to comment.

The government department clarified that the decision to humanely kill the lions lay with the proprietors, and that it had been advised of the course of action.

A high-ranking officer explained that humane killing had to be performed humanely, and in compliance with wildlife regulations.

“An regulatory officer will be on location to verify this is done appropriately,” the spokesperson said. “We are assured that the operation continues to fulfill its wildlife protection and enclosure requirements.”

The park attained a degree of notoriety in the early part of the century when it featured on a television show about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it rapidly faced challenges. In 2009, a handler was mauled to death by a white tiger while performing maintenance.

The sanctuary frequently encountered economic issues and staffing problems, and had multiple owners repeatedly. In 2014, the government agency ordered the facility to cease operations until the habitats were improved. It restarted in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.