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A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has announced it was compelled to put down two of its elderly lions, with the fate of the other five lions still undecided, following monetary problems.

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

In a online announcement, the facility clarified that its owner had put the property up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a difficult decision made by the landowner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The team and I are heartbroken,” commented the facility’s manager.

“While it could potentially continue as a big cat facility under different management, such a scenario would require not only the purchase of the property but significant monetary input,” the director added.

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

“We recently farewelled Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were untreatable and were declining. These actions were made with utmost compassion and thoughtfulness,” the director said.

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

“A several interested parties have indicated willingness in acquiring the property and providing for the lions. Even though the timeframe is tight and the situation remain unclear, we are doing everything we can to pursue this possibility and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “feasible or ethical alternative” due to their elderly status, the group size involved, and their complex needs.

The sanctuary’s updates were filled with responses from members of the public, begging for a second chance for the remaining lions, while former staff members expressed desire that the park would rethink the plan to put them down.

The manager stated that among the supportive comments and messages of sorrow, she had also encountered threatening and abusive comments.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she remarked. “We understand that passions are strong, but we appeal for compassion and respect as we navigate this devastating circumstance.”

The proprietor declined to comment.

The ministry for primary industries clarified that the decision to humanely kill the cats rested with the proprietors, and that it had been notified of the intention.

A senior official explained that putting down had to be performed ethically, and in accordance with animal protection legislation.

“An animal welfare inspector will be present to ensure this is done properly,” the official noted. “We are satisfied that the operation continues to meet its wildlife protection and security requirements.”

The sanctuary gained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it appeared on a broadcast series about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it rapidly ran into problems. In 2009, a staff member was killed by a white tiger while performing maintenance.

The park often encountered financial trouble and workforce challenges, and had multiple owners on several occasions. In 2014, the regulatory body directed the establishment to cease operations until the enclosures were upgraded. It resumed operations in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.