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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has announced it was forced to put down two of its senior lions, with the destiny of the remaining five lions still undecided, following financial difficulties.

The privately owned wildlife sanctuary in the northern town of Whangārei ceased operations over the weekend.

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

“All possibilities were exhausted. The team and I are devastated,” commented the sanctuary’s operator.

“Although it might possibly continue as a wildlife attraction under different management, such a future would require not only the purchase of the land but considerable financial backing,” the manager added.

In a recent update, the park confirmed that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We recently farewelled Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were not treatable and were deteriorating. These choices were made with deep care and thoughtfulness,” the operator remarked.

However, there was a “flicker of optimism” for the remaining five lions, which the sanctuary had earlier indicated would be euthanised.

“A handful of parties have expressed interest in purchasing the establishment and continuing to care for the lions. Although the window is tight and the conditions remain unresolved, we are doing our utmost to investigate this option and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “practical or humane alternative” due to their advanced age, the number of cats involved, and their specialized requirements.

The facility’s posts were filled with messages from the community, requesting a reprieve for the surviving lions, while former staff members expressed desire that the facility would reconsider the course of action to end their lives.

The director stated that among the sympathetic words and expressions of sympathy, she had also encountered menacing and offensive comments.

“This is deeply distressing,” she said. “We acknowledge that passions are strong, but we appeal for compassion and respect as we manage this devastating circumstance.”

The landowner chose not to respond.

The government department stated that the choice to humanely kill the cats was the responsibility of the owners, and that it had been informed of the plan.

A high-ranking officer stated that putting down had to be conducted ethically, and in compliance with animal welfare law.

“An regulatory officer will be present to ensure this is done appropriately,” the official stated. “We are assured that the operation continues to satisfy its animal welfare and containment responsibilities.”

The park achieved minor fame in the early 2000s when it appeared on a TV program about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it quickly faced challenges. In 2009, a handler was fatally attacked by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The sanctuary repeatedly experienced financial trouble and staffing problems, and changed ownership repeatedly. In 2014, the regulatory body directed the facility to cease operations until the habitats were modernized. It restarted in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.