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A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has revealed it was forced to euthanise two of its elderly lions, with the destiny of the other five lions still uncertain, following economic struggles.

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

In a online post, the establishment explained 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 tough decision made by the landowner.”

“There were no real options left. The team and I are deeply saddened,” commented the facility’s manager.

“Even though it may possibly continue as a lion park under fresh proprietors, such a scenario would require not only the purchase of the land but significant capital investment,” the director noted.

In a recent statement, the facility confirmed that two of its lions had been put down.

“Yesterday we said goodbye Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had grave illnesses that were not treatable and were worsening. These decisions were made with deep care and deliberation,” the operator stated.

However, there was a “ray of hope” for the remaining five lions, which the park had previously indicated would be humanely killed.

“A handful of parties have expressed interest in buying the establishment and continuing to care for the lions. Even though the timeframe is short and the situation remain uncertain, we are doing our utmost to investigate this opportunity and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “viable or compassionate choice” due to their advanced age, the number of cats involved, and their specialized requirements.

The park’s announcements were overwhelmed by comments from the community, pleading for a reprieve for the remaining lions, while ex-employees expressed hope that the facility would reconsider the course of action to put them down.

The operator stated that amid the kind messages and words of condolence, she had also encountered threatening and insulting remarks.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she commented. “We understand that passions are strong, but we request compassion and respect as we navigate this devastating situation.”

The proprietor declined to comment.

The ministry for primary industries clarified that the choice to put down the lions rested with the owners, and that it had been advised of the plan.

A senior official explained that humane killing had to be conducted compassionately, and in line with animal protection legislation.

“An compliance official will be present to confirm this is done properly,” the spokesperson noted. “We are assured that the operation continues to meet its animal care and security obligations.”

The sanctuary gained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it featured on a broadcast series about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it quickly encountered difficulties. In 2009, a staff member was fatally attacked by a big cat while carrying out duties.

The sanctuary frequently experienced economic issues and employment issues, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries directed the establishment to close until the habitats were upgraded. It reopened in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.