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A struggling wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has announced it was compelled to euthanise two of its elderly lions, with the outcome of the other five lions still uncertain, following monetary problems.

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

In a online post, the establishment clarified that its owner had put the property up for sale in August, and the seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a tough decision made by the property owner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The staff and I are devastated,” commented the park’s director.

“While it could possibly continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a future would require not only the acquisition of the land but substantial capital investment,” the manager explained.

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

“Yesterday we said goodbye two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were not treatable and were worsening. These actions were made with utmost compassion and deliberation,” the director remarked.

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

“A several interested parties have expressed interest in acquiring the facility and providing for the lions. While the deadline is short and the circumstances remain unresolved, we are doing our utmost to explore this possibility and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “practical or compassionate alternative” due to their age, the quantity of animals involved, and their complex needs.

The park’s announcements were filled with messages from concerned citizens, begging for a reprieve for the other big cats, while former staff members expressed desire that the sanctuary would rethink the course of action to put them down.

The manager mentioned that alongside the sympathetic words and messages of sorrow, she had also received menacing and insulting remarks.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she said. “We acknowledge that emotions are high, but we appeal for kindness and respect as we manage this devastating predicament.”

The landowner refused to comment.

The ministry for primary industries stated that the determination to euthanise the lions rested with the landowners, and that it had been informed of the intention.

A high-ranking officer commented that putting down had to be carried out ethically, and in compliance with animal protection legislation.

“An compliance official will be on location to ensure this is done correctly,” the official stated. “We are satisfied that the facility continues to fulfill its wildlife protection and security obligations.”

The sanctuary attained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it was shown on a TV program about a famous animal trainer.

However, it soon faced challenges. In 2009, a handler was fatally attacked by a white tiger while carrying out duties.

The park repeatedly encountered economic issues and staffing problems, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the regulatory body ordered the establishment to close until the habitats were modernized. It reopened in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.