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A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has stated it was obliged to euthanise two of its senior lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still unclear, following monetary problems.

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

In a online post, the establishment explained that its proprietor had listed the land up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “following a difficult decision made by the property owner.”

“There were no real options left. The team 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 manager noted.

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

“We had to part with Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had grave illnesses that were not treatable and were worsening. These actions were made with utmost compassion and consideration,” the director stated.

However, there was a “ray of hope” for the remaining five lions, which the sanctuary had earlier indicated would be humanely killed.

“A several interested parties have indicated willingness in purchasing the establishment and maintaining care for the lions. Although the deadline is limited and the circumstances remain uncertain, we are doing our utmost to pursue this opportunity and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “feasible or ethical alternative” due to their age, the group size involved, and their specialized requirements.

The facility’s posts were flooded with messages from members of the public, requesting a reprieve for the remaining lions, while past workers expressed hope that the sanctuary would rethink the plan to end their lives.

The operator noted that among the supportive comments and expressions of sympathy, she had also encountered menacing and offensive comments.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she commented. “We recognize that emotions are high, but we ask for consideration and decency as we navigate this heartbreaking situation.”

The proprietor declined to comment.

The government department clarified that the determination to humanely kill the big cats lay with the owners, and that it had been informed of the plan.

A senior official explained that euthanasia had to be carried out compassionately, and in accordance with wildlife regulations.

“An animal welfare inspector will be present to confirm this is done correctly,” the spokesperson stated. “We are confident that the establishment continues to satisfy its wildlife protection and containment requirements.”

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

However, it rapidly faced challenges. In 2009, a keeper was mauled to death by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The park frequently ran into economic issues and employment issues, and switched proprietors repeatedly. In 2014, the government agency instructed the park to shut down until the enclosures were upgraded. It reopened in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.