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A struggling wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has stated it was compelled to euthanise two of its older lions, with the fate of the other five lions still uncertain, following financial difficulties.

The privately owned wildlife park in the northern city of Whangārei closed its doors over the weekend.

In a online post, the facility explained that its proprietor had put the property 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.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The staff and I are devastated,” said the park’s director.

“While it could possibly continue as a lion park under new ownership, such a scenario would require not only the acquisition of the property but substantial financial backing,” the operator noted.

In a recent announcement, the sanctuary announced 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 untreatable and were worsening. These actions were made with profound consideration and thoughtfulness,” the manager stated.

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

“A several interested parties have expressed interest in acquiring the property and continuing to care for the lions. Even though the deadline is limited and the conditions remain unclear, we are doing all we can to explore this possibility and hold onto hope.”

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

The park’s announcements were flooded with responses from concerned citizens, requesting a second chance for the remaining lions, while former staff members expressed optimism that the sanctuary would reconsider the plan to put them down.

The operator stated that alongside the sympathetic words and expressions of sympathy, she had also encountered threatening and insulting remarks.

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

The proprietor chose not to respond.

The government department clarified that the determination to euthanise the cats lay with the owners, and that it had been informed of the intention.

A high-ranking officer stated that euthanasia had to be carried out humanely, and in accordance with animal protection legislation.

“An regulatory officer will be present to verify this is done properly,” the spokesperson noted. “We are satisfied that the facility continues to meet its wildlife protection and security obligations.”

The park achieved some recognition in the early 2000s when it appeared on a TV program about a famous animal trainer.

However, it quickly faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was fatally attacked by a white tiger while performing maintenance.

The facility repeatedly encountered monetary difficulties and workforce challenges, and switched proprietors on several occasions. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries instructed the park to cease operations until the enclosures were improved. It restarted in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.