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A struggling wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has stated it was forced to humanely kill two of its older lions, with the fate of the other five lions still unclear, following monetary problems.

The privately owned wildlife park in the northern town of Whangārei shut down over the weekend.

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

“No viable alternatives remained. The staff and I are heartbroken,” said the sanctuary’s operator.

“While it could potentially continue as a wildlife attraction under fresh proprietors, such a future would require not only the acquisition of the land but substantial capital investment,” the manager noted.

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

“Yesterday we said goodbye two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were not treatable and were declining. These decisions were made with deep care and thoughtfulness,” the operator remarked.

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

“A few individuals have indicated willingness in purchasing the establishment and maintaining care for the lions. Even though the timeframe is tight and the circumstances remain unclear, we are doing our utmost to explore this possibility and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “viable or compassionate option” due to their advanced age, the group size involved, and their demanding care.

The sanctuary’s updates were flooded with responses from the community, begging for a reprieve for the other big cats, while former staff members expressed hope that the facility would reconsider the plan to end their lives.

The director mentioned that alongside the sympathetic words and messages of sorrow, she had also encountered hostile and insulting comments.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she said. “We understand that passions are strong, but we request compassion and decency as we navigate this devastating circumstance.”

The landowner chose not to respond.

The regulatory body clarified that the decision to put down the lions rested with the landowners, and that it had been advised of the course of action.

A senior official explained that euthanasia had to be conducted humanely, and in accordance with wildlife regulations.

“An compliance official will be on location to confirm this is done properly,” the representative noted. “We are satisfied that the operation continues to fulfill its animal welfare and containment obligations.”

The park achieved a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it featured on a television show about a famous animal trainer.

However, it rapidly faced challenges. In 2009, a handler was fatally attacked by a big cat while cleaning its enclosure.

The park repeatedly ran into financial trouble and employment issues, and had multiple owners on several occasions. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries directed the establishment to close until the facilities were upgraded. It reopened in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.