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A financially troubled wildlife park in New Zealand has announced it was obliged to put down two of its elderly lions, with the outcome of the other five lions still unclear, following monetary problems.

The privately owned wildlife sanctuary in the northern city of Whangārei ceased operations over the past weekend.

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

“There were no real options left. The employees and I are deeply saddened,” commented the park’s director.

“While it could possibly continue as a big cat facility under new ownership, such a outcome would require not only the acquisition of the land but significant monetary input,” the director explained.

In a recent announcement, the facility confirmed that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were incurable and were deteriorating. These choices were made with profound consideration and deliberation,” the manager remarked.

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

“A handful of parties have shown interest in buying the facility and maintaining care for the lions. Even though the timeframe is short and the conditions remain uncertain, we are doing everything we can to pursue this possibility and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “feasible or compassionate alternative” due to their age, the number of cats involved, and their complex needs.

The facility’s posts were flooded with messages from the community, requesting a second chance for the surviving lions, while past workers expressed hope that the park would reconsider the plan to euthanise them.

The director stated that among the supportive comments and messages of sorrow, she had also encountered threatening and insulting remarks.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she commented. “We understand that passions are strong, but we request compassion and respect as we manage this heartbreaking circumstance.”

The property owner chose not to respond.

The government department clarified that the choice to euthanise the lions lay with the proprietors, and that it had been informed of the intention.

A senior official commented that putting down had to be carried out compassionately, and in compliance with wildlife regulations.

“An animal welfare inspector will be onsite to ensure this is done properly,” the representative noted. “We are confident that the facility continues to satisfy its wildlife protection and enclosure obligations.”

The park achieved a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it was shown on a broadcast series 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 ran into financial trouble and workforce challenges, and switched proprietors repeatedly. In 2014, the regulatory body ordered the facility to close until the habitats were modernized. It reopened in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.