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A financially troubled wildlife park in New Zealand has revealed it was obliged to humanely kill two of its senior lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still unclear, following financial difficulties.

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

In a social media announcement, the establishment clarified that its proprietor 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 tough decision made by the landowner.”

“There were no real options left. The employees and I are deeply saddened,” stated the sanctuary’s operator.

“While it could potentially continue as a lion park under fresh proprietors, such a future would require not only the purchase of the land but substantial financial backing,” the operator explained.

In a recent announcement, the sanctuary announced 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 incurable and were worsening. These decisions were made with deep care and consideration,” the director said.

However, there was a “glimmer of hope” for the other five lions, which the park had earlier indicated would be euthanised.

“A handful of parties have indicated willingness in buying the facility and continuing to care for the lions. Although the window is tight and the conditions remain uncertain, we are doing everything we can to explore this option and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “feasible or humane alternative” due to their age, the group size involved, and their complex needs.

The facility’s posts were overwhelmed by messages from concerned citizens, requesting a reprieve for the other big cats, while former staff members expressed desire that the facility would reconsider the plan to put them down.

The director stated that alongside the kind messages and messages of sorrow, she had also encountered hostile and insulting remarks.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she commented. “We understand that feelings are intense, but we appeal for kindness and decency as we navigate this heartbreaking circumstance.”

The landowner refused to comment.

The government department clarified that the choice to put down the big cats was the responsibility of the proprietors, and that it had been notified of the plan.

A senior official stated that putting down had to be conducted compassionately, and in compliance with wildlife regulations.

“An compliance official will be on location to ensure this is done correctly,” the representative stated. “We are satisfied that the operation continues to satisfy its animal care and security responsibilities.”

The sanctuary gained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it appeared on a broadcast series about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it rapidly faced challenges. In 2009, a handler was mauled to death by a white tiger while performing maintenance.

The facility frequently ran into monetary difficulties and staffing problems, and had multiple owners repeatedly. In 2014, the government agency instructed the facility to close until the enclosures were modernized. It reopened in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.