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A financially troubled wildlife park in New Zealand has revealed it was obliged to humanely kill two of its senior lions, with the fate of the other five lions still undecided, following financial difficulties.

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

In a online post, the facility indicated that its owner had put the property up for sale in August, and the seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a difficult decision made by the property owner.”

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

“While it could potentially continue as a lion park under new ownership, such a scenario would require not only the purchase of the property but substantial monetary input,” the director explained.

In a later statement, the sanctuary announced that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We had to part with Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had significant medical issues that were untreatable and were worsening. These choices were made with utmost compassion and thoughtfulness,” the director said.

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

“A several interested parties have shown interest in buying the facility and providing for the lions. While the timeframe is tight and the conditions remain unresolved, we are doing everything we can to investigate this possibility and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “feasible or humane alternative” due to their age, the quantity of animals involved, and their complex needs.

The sanctuary’s updates were filled with comments from members of the public, pleading for a second chance for the remaining lions, while ex-employees expressed desire that the facility would review the course of action to euthanise them.

The manager mentioned that among the supportive comments and messages of sorrow, she had also encountered menacing and offensive remarks.

“This is deeply distressing,” she remarked. “We understand that passions are strong, but we ask for kindness and courtesy as we manage this tragic predicament.”

The landowner refused to comment.

The regulatory body stated that the decision to put down the big cats was the responsibility of the owners, and that it had been advised of the intention.

A deputy director commented that euthanasia had to be conducted compassionately, and in accordance with wildlife regulations.

“An compliance official will be present to ensure this is done properly,” the representative said. “We are satisfied that the establishment continues to fulfill its wildlife protection and security obligations.”

The facility gained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it featured on a broadcast series about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it soon ran into problems. In 2009, a handler was killed by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The sanctuary repeatedly encountered financial trouble and workforce challenges, and switched proprietors on several occasions. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries instructed the facility to cease operations until the enclosures were improved. It reopened in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.