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A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has announced it was obliged to humanely kill two of its senior lions, with the outcome of the other five lions still unclear, following monetary problems.

The privately owned wildlife park in the northern city of Whangārei ceased operations over the weekend.

In a online update, the facility indicated that its proprietor had put the property 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 property owner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The team and I are devastated,” stated the facility’s manager.

“While it could possibly continue as a wildlife attraction under new ownership, such a future would require not only the purchase of the land but substantial capital investment,” the operator noted.

In a later statement, the park confirmed that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were not treatable and were deteriorating. These choices were made with profound consideration and thoughtfulness,” the director said.

However, there was a “flicker of optimism” for the remaining five lions, which the sanctuary had previously indicated would be euthanised.

“A handful of parties have expressed interest in acquiring the property and providing for the lions. Even though the deadline is short and the conditions remain uncertain, we are doing everything we can to investigate this possibility and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “viable or humane alternative” due to their age, the number of cats involved, and their specialized requirements.

The sanctuary’s updates were filled with responses from concerned citizens, pleading for a second chance for the surviving lions, while ex-employees expressed desire that the park would reconsider the plan to euthanise them.

The operator noted that among the supportive comments and expressions of sympathy, she had also encountered menacing and insulting messages.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she said. “We acknowledge that feelings are intense, but we ask for compassion and respect as we manage this heartbreaking circumstance.”

The proprietor declined to comment.

The regulatory body indicated that the choice to put down the big cats was the responsibility of the proprietors, and that it had been informed of the plan.

A high-ranking officer stated that putting down had to be conducted compassionately, and in line with animal protection legislation.

“An compliance official will be onsite to ensure this is done properly,” the spokesperson said. “We are assured that the operation continues to meet its animal care and containment requirements.”

The sanctuary gained some recognition in the early part of the century when it featured on a television show about a well-known lion tamer.

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

The park frequently ran into financial trouble and staffing problems, and switched proprietors multiple times. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries instructed the facility to close until the habitats were upgraded. It restarted in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.