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A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was forced to put down two of its elderly lions, with the destiny of the remaining five lions still undecided, following economic struggles.

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

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

“All possibilities were exhausted. The team and I are heartbroken,” commented the park’s director.

“Although it might possibly continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a outcome would require not only the acquisition of the property but substantial financial backing,” the operator noted.

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

“Yesterday we said goodbye Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were not treatable and were deteriorating. These actions were made with deep care and consideration,” the director remarked.

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

“A several interested parties have expressed interest in buying the establishment and providing for the lions. Even though the deadline is short and the circumstances remain unresolved, we are doing our utmost to explore this possibility and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “viable or compassionate choice” due to their elderly status, the quantity of animals involved, and their complex needs.

The sanctuary’s updates were filled with comments from concerned citizens, requesting a second chance for the surviving lions, while past workers expressed desire that the facility would review the decision to end their lives.

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

“This is extremely upsetting,” she commented. “We understand that feelings are intense, but we appeal for consideration and courtesy as we handle this devastating predicament.”

The landowner chose not to respond.

The ministry for primary industries clarified that the choice to humanely kill the cats rested with the owners, and that it had been advised of the intention.

A high-ranking officer explained that euthanasia had to be carried out humanely, and in compliance with animal welfare law.

“An animal welfare inspector will be on location to verify this is done correctly,” the representative noted. “We are confident that the operation continues to satisfy its animal welfare and security requirements.”

The facility gained some recognition in the early 2000s when it was shown on a broadcast series about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it quickly faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was killed by a white tiger while performing maintenance.

The park often encountered financial trouble and staffing problems, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the regulatory body instructed the park to close until the habitats were upgraded. It restarted in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.