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A financially troubled wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was compelled to euthanise two of its elderly lions, with the destiny of the remaining five lions still undecided, following economic struggles.

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

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

“No viable alternatives remained. The staff and I are deeply saddened,” said the sanctuary’s operator.

“Even though it may possibly continue as a big cat facility under new ownership, such a scenario would require not only the purchase of the property but significant monetary input,” the manager added.

In a later update, the park 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 choices were made with utmost compassion and deliberation,” the operator remarked.

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

“A few individuals have shown interest in buying the property and continuing to care for the lions. Although the deadline is limited and the conditions remain unclear, we are doing our utmost to explore this opportunity and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “viable or ethical choice” due to their advanced age, the quantity of animals involved, and their complex needs.

The facility’s posts were flooded with comments from concerned citizens, pleading for a reprieve for the other big cats, while ex-employees expressed hope that the park would review the decision to euthanise them.

The manager stated that amid the kind messages and messages of sorrow, she had also encountered menacing and insulting messages.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she remarked. “We acknowledge that feelings are intense, but we request compassion and courtesy as we handle this heartbreaking predicament.”

The proprietor refused to comment.

The regulatory body indicated that the determination to humanely kill the big cats rested with the landowners, and that it had been informed of the course of action.

A deputy director stated that putting down had to be performed ethically, and in compliance with wildlife regulations.

“An compliance official will be present to verify this is done correctly,” the spokesperson noted. “We are confident that the operation continues to satisfy its animal care and security responsibilities.”

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

However, it soon faced challenges. In 2009, a keeper was fatally attacked by a white tiger while performing maintenance.

The park often experienced monetary difficulties and employment issues, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the regulatory body instructed the establishment to cease operations until the enclosures were modernized. It resumed operations in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.