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A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has stated it was forced to euthanise two of its older lions, with the destiny of the other five lions still uncertain, following monetary problems.

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

In a social media announcement, the establishment indicated that its owner had listed the land up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “after a difficult decision made by the property owner.”

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

“While it could potentially continue as a lion park under new ownership, such a future would require not only the acquisition of the land but considerable monetary input,” the director explained.

In a subsequent update, the facility verified that two of its lions had been put down.

“We recently farewelled Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were incurable and were worsening. These decisions were made with deep care and thoughtfulness,” the director said.

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

“A several interested parties have expressed interest in acquiring the establishment and continuing to care for the lions. While the timeframe is tight and the situation remain unresolved, we are doing all we can to investigate this possibility and maintain optimism.”

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

The facility’s posts were overwhelmed by messages from concerned citizens, pleading for a stay of execution for the other big cats, while past workers expressed desire that the park would rethink the decision to euthanise them.

The manager noted that among the sympathetic words and expressions of sympathy, she had also encountered hostile and insulting remarks.

“This is deeply distressing,” she commented. “We recognize that feelings are intense, but we appeal for consideration and respect as we navigate this devastating situation.”

The proprietor refused to comment.

The government department stated that the decision to put down the cats rested with the landowners, and that it had been informed of the plan.

A deputy director commented that humane killing had to be conducted ethically, and in line with animal welfare law.

“An regulatory officer will be present to confirm this is done appropriately,” the spokesperson said. “We are satisfied that the facility continues to satisfy its animal welfare and containment responsibilities.”

The facility achieved minor fame in the early 2000s when it appeared on a television show about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it rapidly ran into problems. In 2009, a handler was fatally attacked by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The park often encountered financial trouble and employment issues, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the government agency ordered the park to shut down until the facilities were improved. It resumed operations in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.