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A financially troubled wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has stated it was forced to humanely kill two of its elderly lions, with the destiny of the other five lions still undecided, following economic struggles.

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

In a online announcement, the establishment explained 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 sanctuary’s operator.

“Even though it may possibly continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a outcome would require not only the acquisition of the property but substantial capital investment,” the operator noted.

In a subsequent update, the park announced that two of its lions had been humanely killed.

“We recently farewelled two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were not treatable and were deteriorating. These choices were made with deep care and deliberation,” the manager remarked.

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

“A few individuals have indicated willingness in acquiring the property and continuing to care for the lions. While the deadline is limited and the circumstances remain unclear, we are doing our utmost to explore this opportunity and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “viable or ethical choice” due to their age, the group size involved, and their complex needs.

The sanctuary’s updates were overwhelmed by messages from concerned citizens, pleading for a second chance for the surviving lions, while former staff members expressed optimism that the facility would reconsider the decision to end their lives.

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

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she commented. “We acknowledge that passions are strong, but we request consideration and respect as we navigate this devastating situation.”

The landowner chose not to respond.

The regulatory body indicated that the decision to euthanise the lions rested with the landowners, and that it had been notified of the intention.

A high-ranking officer stated that putting down had to be performed humanely, and in accordance with wildlife regulations.

“An animal welfare inspector will be onsite to confirm this is done appropriately,” the representative stated. “We are satisfied that the establishment continues to satisfy its animal care and security responsibilities.”

The park gained some recognition in the early 2000s when it featured on a television show about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it soon faced challenges. In 2009, a handler was killed by a white tiger while performing maintenance.

The park frequently encountered financial trouble and workforce challenges, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries ordered the establishment to close until the enclosures were improved. It restarted in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.