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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has revealed it was compelled to humanely kill two of its older lions, with the fate of the other five lions still unclear, 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 facility indicated that its owner had put the property up for sale in August, and the seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “after a tough decision made by the property owner.”

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

“Even though it may potentially continue as a big cat facility under new ownership, such a future would require not only the purchase of the property but substantial monetary input,” the director added.

In a later announcement, the park confirmed that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“Yesterday we said goodbye Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were incurable and were declining. These choices were made with profound consideration and thoughtfulness,” the director said.

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

“A several interested parties have expressed interest in acquiring the property and maintaining care for the lions. Even though the deadline is limited and the circumstances remain unresolved, we are doing everything we can to explore this possibility and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “feasible or compassionate choice” due to their age, the group size involved, and their demanding care.

The sanctuary’s updates were flooded with responses from concerned citizens, begging for a second chance for the other big cats, while past workers expressed hope that the park would rethink the decision to end their lives.

The manager stated that amid the sympathetic words and expressions of sympathy, she had also been subjected to threatening and abusive comments.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she remarked. “We recognize that passions are strong, but we ask for compassion and courtesy as we manage this tragic predicament.”

The property owner declined to comment.

The ministry for primary industries clarified that the choice to humanely kill the lions was the responsibility of the proprietors, and that it had been informed of the plan.

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

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

The facility achieved a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it appeared on a TV program about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it rapidly encountered difficulties. In 2009, a handler was fatally attacked by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The facility often encountered monetary difficulties and staffing problems, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the regulatory body ordered the facility to cease operations until the enclosures were modernized. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.