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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has revealed it was forced to euthanise two of its older lions, with the destiny of the remaining five lions still undecided, following financial difficulties.

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

In a online post, the establishment explained that its owner had put the property up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “after a difficult decision made by the landowner.”

“There were no real options left. The team and I are deeply saddened,” stated the facility’s manager.

“Even though it may possibly continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a scenario would require not only the acquisition of the land but considerable financial backing,” the manager explained.

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

“We recently farewelled Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had grave illnesses that were not treatable and were declining. These choices were made with utmost compassion and consideration,” the director remarked.

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

“A few individuals have shown interest in buying the facility and maintaining care for the lions. While the timeframe is tight and the situation remain unclear, we are doing all we can to explore this opportunity and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “feasible or ethical option” due to their elderly status, the number of cats involved, and their specialized requirements.

The sanctuary’s updates were flooded with responses from members of the public, begging for a reprieve for the remaining lions, while past workers expressed hope that the facility would rethink the decision to end their lives.

The manager stated that alongside the supportive comments and messages of sorrow, she had also been subjected to threatening and insulting messages.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she commented. “We acknowledge that feelings are intense, but we request consideration and decency as we handle this devastating predicament.”

The proprietor chose not to respond.

The regulatory body clarified that the choice to euthanise the cats rested with the owners, and that it had been informed of the plan.

A deputy director explained that putting down had to be performed compassionately, and in accordance with animal welfare law.

“An compliance official will be present to verify this is done correctly,” the official stated. “We are satisfied that the operation continues to fulfill its wildlife protection and containment requirements.”

The sanctuary gained some recognition in the early 2000s when it was shown on a television show about a famous animal trainer.

However, it rapidly faced challenges. In 2009, a keeper was fatally attacked by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The park often experienced economic issues and employment issues, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries directed the facility to close until the enclosures were upgraded. It restarted in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.