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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has revealed it was forced to euthanise two of its elderly lions, with the destiny of the other five lions still unclear, following economic struggles.

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

In a online post, 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.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The employees and I are devastated,” commented the sanctuary’s operator.

“Although it might possibly continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a scenario would require not only the acquisition of the land but considerable monetary input,” the operator noted.

In a recent update, the facility confirmed that two of its lions had been put down.

“We had to part with Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had significant medical issues that were not treatable and were worsening. These decisions were made with utmost compassion and consideration,” the manager said.

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

“A few individuals have shown interest in acquiring the property and maintaining care for the lions. While the timeframe is limited and the situation remain unclear, we are doing all we can to investigate this possibility and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “feasible or ethical option” due to their elderly status, the quantity of animals involved, and their specialized requirements.

The sanctuary’s updates were filled with messages from the community, pleading for a stay of execution for the remaining lions, while former staff members expressed hope that the facility would review the course of action to euthanise them.

The director noted that amid the kind messages and expressions of sympathy, she had also received hostile and insulting comments.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she remarked. “We acknowledge that feelings are intense, but we ask for compassion and respect as we handle this tragic predicament.”

The proprietor declined to comment.

The government department stated that the choice to humanely kill the big cats was the responsibility of the landowners, and that it had been advised of the course of action.

A deputy director stated that euthanasia had to be conducted compassionately, and in compliance with wildlife regulations.

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

The facility attained some recognition in the early 2000s when it appeared on a broadcast series about a famous animal trainer.

However, it quickly encountered difficulties. In 2009, a staff member was mauled to death by a big cat while cleaning its enclosure.

The park frequently encountered financial trouble and workforce challenges, and had multiple owners on several occasions. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries ordered the establishment to close until the facilities were improved. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.