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A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has stated it was obliged to put down two of its elderly lions, with the destiny of the remaining five lions still uncertain, following financial difficulties.

The privately owned wildlife park in the northern city of Whangārei shut down over the past weekend.

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

“All possibilities were exhausted. The employees and I are deeply saddened,” commented the park’s director.

“Even though it may possibly continue as a wildlife attraction under different management, such a scenario would require not only the purchase of the land but significant monetary input,” the manager noted.

In a recent announcement, the park announced that two of its lions had been put down.

“We had to part with Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were incurable and were declining. These choices were made with deep care and consideration,” the director stated.

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

“A few individuals have expressed interest in acquiring the facility and continuing to care for the lions. While the deadline is short and the situation remain unclear, we are doing our utmost to explore this opportunity and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “practical or ethical option” due to their age, the group size involved, and their complex needs.

The park’s announcements were flooded with messages from the community, begging for a reprieve for the remaining lions, while ex-employees expressed hope that the facility would reconsider the course of action to euthanise them.

The director noted that among the sympathetic words and messages of sorrow, she had also encountered menacing and offensive comments.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she commented. “We recognize that emotions are high, but we appeal for consideration and respect as we navigate this tragic circumstance.”

The landowner declined to comment.

The regulatory body indicated that the choice to euthanise the lions rested with the landowners, and that it had been informed of the course of action.

A high-ranking officer explained that humane killing had to be performed humanely, and in compliance with animal protection legislation.

“An regulatory officer will be onsite to ensure this is done properly,” the representative said. “We are assured that the operation continues to satisfy its animal welfare and security responsibilities.”

The park attained some recognition in the early 2000s when it appeared on a television show about a famous animal trainer.

However, it soon encountered difficulties. In 2009, a handler was mauled to death by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The sanctuary repeatedly experienced economic issues and employment issues, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the regulatory body directed the facility to cease operations until the facilities were modernized. It resumed operations in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.