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A struggling wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has revealed it was obliged to put down two of its elderly lions, with the outcome of the remaining five lions still unclear, following monetary problems.

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

In a social media post, the establishment indicated that its proprietor had put the property up for sale in August, and the seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a tough decision made by the landowner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The team and I are heartbroken,” commented the facility’s manager.

“Although it might possibly continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a future would require not only the purchase of the property but considerable financial backing,” the operator explained.

In a recent update, the park announced that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We recently farewelled Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were untreatable and were declining. These choices were made with profound consideration and thoughtfulness,” the operator stated.

However, there was a “ray of hope” for the remaining five lions, which the sanctuary had previously indicated would be put down.

“A few individuals have expressed interest in acquiring the establishment and maintaining care for the lions. Even though the timeframe is limited and the situation remain unclear, we are doing everything we can to explore this option and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “practical or ethical alternative” due to their advanced age, the number of cats involved, and their specialized requirements.

The facility’s posts were filled with responses from members of the public, begging for a second chance for the remaining lions, while former staff members expressed desire that the park would review the course of action to end their lives.

The operator mentioned that amid the supportive comments and words of condolence, she had also encountered hostile and offensive comments.

“This is deeply distressing,” she remarked. “We recognize that feelings are intense, but we request kindness and courtesy as we navigate this tragic situation.”

The landowner refused to comment.

The ministry for primary industries clarified that the decision to put down the cats was the responsibility of the landowners, and that it had been advised of the intention.

A deputy director commented that putting down had to be performed compassionately, and in line with wildlife regulations.

“An animal welfare inspector will be on location to confirm this is done correctly,” the official noted. “We are confident that the facility continues to satisfy its wildlife protection and security responsibilities.”

The park attained minor fame in the early 2000s when it appeared on a broadcast series about a famous animal trainer.

However, it soon faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was mauled to death by a big cat while cleaning its enclosure.

The park often experienced economic issues and workforce challenges, and had multiple owners repeatedly. In 2014, the regulatory body directed the park to close until the enclosures were upgraded. It resumed operations in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.