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A financially troubled wildlife park in New Zealand has announced it was forced to euthanise two of its elderly lions, with the outcome of the remaining five lions still unclear, following financial difficulties.

The private wildlife reserve in the northern city of Whangārei closed its doors over the past weekend.

In a social media post, the facility explained that its owner had listed the land up for sale in August, and the seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “after a difficult decision made by the landowner.”

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

“Although it might possibly continue as a wildlife attraction under fresh proprietors, such a scenario would require not only the acquisition of the land but substantial capital investment,” the manager added.

In a later statement, the park verified 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 incurable and were deteriorating. These choices were made with utmost compassion and thoughtfulness,” the director stated.

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

“A few individuals have shown interest in acquiring the facility and maintaining care for the lions. While the window is limited and the circumstances remain unresolved, we are doing all we can to investigate this opportunity and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “feasible or compassionate option” due to their age, the quantity of animals involved, and their specialized requirements.

The sanctuary’s updates were flooded with messages from the community, begging for a second chance for the surviving lions, while former staff members expressed hope that the sanctuary would reconsider the decision to euthanise them.

The manager stated that among the sympathetic words and expressions of sympathy, she had also received menacing and abusive messages.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she said. “We understand that passions are strong, but we appeal for consideration and decency as we navigate this devastating circumstance.”

The proprietor chose not to respond.

The regulatory body clarified that the determination to euthanise the big cats lay with the proprietors, and that it had been advised of the plan.

A deputy director stated that putting down had to be carried out ethically, and in accordance with animal protection legislation.

“An animal welfare inspector will be on location to confirm this is done correctly,” the representative noted. “We are confident that the establishment continues to fulfill its animal welfare and security obligations.”

The facility gained some recognition in the early 2000s when it featured on a television show about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it soon encountered difficulties. In 2009, a staff member was mauled to death by a white tiger while performing maintenance.

The sanctuary frequently encountered financial trouble and staffing problems, and changed ownership on several occasions. In 2014, the regulatory body instructed the park to cease operations until the habitats were improved. It restarted in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.