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A struggling wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has announced it was compelled to humanely kill two of its elderly lions, with the outcome of the remaining five lions still uncertain, following financial difficulties.

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

In a social media update, the facility indicated that its proprietor had put the property up for sale in August, and the seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “after a challenging decision made by the property owner.”

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

“Even though it may possibly continue as a wildlife attraction under new ownership, such a scenario would require not only the acquisition of the land but substantial monetary input,” the manager noted.

In a subsequent announcement, the facility confirmed that two of its lions had been humanely killed.

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were incurable and were worsening. These actions were made with profound consideration and thoughtfulness,” the director remarked.

However, there was a “flicker of optimism” for the other five lions, which the park had previously indicated would be put down.

“A handful of parties have shown interest in buying the property and maintaining care for the lions. While the window is short and the circumstances remain uncertain, we are doing everything we can to explore this possibility and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “viable or compassionate option” due to their advanced age, the quantity of animals involved, and their specialized requirements.

The facility’s posts were filled with responses from the community, requesting a stay of execution for the surviving lions, while ex-employees expressed desire that the facility would reconsider the decision to end their lives.

The operator noted that alongside the kind messages and messages of sorrow, she had also encountered menacing and offensive remarks.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she commented. “We understand that emotions are high, but we request consideration and courtesy as we manage this devastating predicament.”

The proprietor chose not to respond.

The government department indicated that the determination to euthanise the big cats was the responsibility of the owners, and that it had been advised of the course of action.

A deputy director stated that euthanasia had to be carried out ethically, and in accordance with animal welfare law.

“An animal welfare inspector will be onsite to verify this is done appropriately,” the official stated. “We are satisfied that the operation continues to satisfy its animal care and containment requirements.”

The facility attained some recognition in the early 2000s when it featured on a television show about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it soon encountered difficulties. In 2009, a staff member was killed by a big cat while cleaning its enclosure.

The park often experienced monetary difficulties and staffing problems, and changed ownership repeatedly. In 2014, the regulatory body ordered the facility to shut down until the facilities were modernized. It restarted in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.