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

The private wildlife sanctuary in the northern city of Whangārei shut down over the weekend.

In a social media announcement, the establishment indicated that its owner had put the property up for sale in August, and the seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “following a tough decision made by the landowner.”

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

“Even though it may possibly continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a outcome would require not only the acquisition of the land but substantial monetary input,” the operator added.

In a subsequent statement, the park verified that two of its lions had been humanely killed.

“We had to part with Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had significant medical issues that were not treatable and were deteriorating. These actions were made with deep care and deliberation,” the manager stated.

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

“A handful of parties have shown interest in purchasing the property and maintaining care for the lions. While the window is short and the situation remain uncertain, we are doing our utmost to pursue this option and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “viable or ethical alternative” due to their elderly status, the number of cats involved, and their specialized requirements.

The park’s announcements were overwhelmed by comments from members of the public, begging for a reprieve for the surviving lions, while ex-employees expressed desire that the facility would review the plan to put them down.

The manager mentioned that among the sympathetic words and words of condolence, she had also encountered threatening and abusive messages.

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

The property owner declined to comment.

The ministry for primary industries stated that the decision to euthanise the cats lay with the landowners, and that it had been notified of the plan.

A deputy director explained that humane killing had to be performed compassionately, and in accordance with animal protection legislation.

“An regulatory officer will be present to confirm this is done properly,” the official stated. “We are confident that the facility continues to meet its wildlife protection and enclosure obligations.”

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

However, it quickly encountered difficulties. In 2009, a keeper was killed by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The sanctuary repeatedly ran into economic issues and staffing problems, and had multiple owners repeatedly. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries ordered the park to shut down until the enclosures were improved. It reopened in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.