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A struggling wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has stated it was obliged to humanely kill two of its senior lions, with the destiny of the remaining five lions still uncertain, following financial difficulties.

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

In a social media announcement, 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 put down “after a difficult decision made by the property owner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The employees and I are devastated,” stated the facility’s manager.

“Even though it may potentially continue as a wildlife attraction under different management, such a future would require not only the purchase of the land but significant capital investment,” the director explained.

In a later statement, the facility announced that two of its lions had been humanely killed.

“Yesterday we said goodbye two of our lions, both of whom had significant medical issues that were incurable and were declining. These choices were made with utmost compassion and deliberation,” the operator remarked.

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

“A few individuals have expressed interest in buying the facility and continuing to care for the lions. While the deadline is tight and the circumstances remain unclear, we are doing everything we can to pursue this opportunity and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “feasible or humane choice” due to their age, the number of cats involved, and their complex needs.

The facility’s posts were flooded with comments from members of the public, requesting a second chance for the other big cats, while former staff members expressed desire that the facility would rethink the decision to end their lives.

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

“This is deeply distressing,” she commented. “We recognize that feelings are intense, but we ask for kindness and decency as we navigate this heartbreaking predicament.”

The landowner refused to comment.

The government department indicated that the decision to put down the cats lay with the owners, and that it had been advised of the intention.

A senior official commented that putting down had to be carried out humanely, and in compliance with animal protection legislation.

“An animal welfare inspector will be on location to ensure this is done appropriately,” the representative stated. “We are assured that the facility continues to fulfill its animal care and enclosure obligations.”

The park achieved minor fame in the early 2000s when it featured on a television show about a well-known lion tamer.

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

The sanctuary frequently encountered monetary difficulties and staffing problems, and had multiple owners on several occasions. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries directed the park to close until the enclosures were modernized. It reopened in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.