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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has revealed it was obliged to humanely kill two of its elderly lions, with the fate of the other five lions still uncertain, following economic struggles.

The privately owned wildlife reserve in the northern town of Whangārei shut down over the weekend.

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

“No viable alternatives remained. The employees and I are deeply saddened,” commented the facility’s manager.

“While it could possibly continue as a lion park under new ownership, such a outcome would require not only the purchase of the property but considerable financial backing,” the operator explained.

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

“Yesterday we said goodbye two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were not treatable and were deteriorating. These decisions were made with deep care and consideration,” the director remarked.

However, there was a “flicker of optimism” for the other five lions, which the sanctuary had earlier indicated would be put down.

“A handful of parties have expressed interest in acquiring the facility and maintaining care for the lions. Although the window is limited and the situation remain uncertain, we are doing everything we can to explore this opportunity and maintain optimism.”

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

The sanctuary’s updates were filled with messages from concerned citizens, pleading for a reprieve for the remaining lions, while ex-employees expressed hope that the park would review the course of action to end their lives.

The director noted that amid the sympathetic words and messages of sorrow, she had also been subjected to hostile and insulting comments.

“This is deeply distressing,” she said. “We recognize that emotions are high, but we request compassion and decency as we manage this tragic predicament.”

The property owner refused to comment.

The government department clarified that the choice to humanely kill the lions was the responsibility of the landowners, and that it had been informed of the plan.

A senior official stated that putting down had to be carried out compassionately, and in line with wildlife regulations.

“An regulatory officer will be onsite to verify this is done correctly,” the representative said. “We are satisfied that the establishment continues to fulfill its animal care and containment obligations.”

The facility gained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it appeared on a broadcast series about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it soon faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was fatally attacked by a white tiger while performing maintenance.

The park often encountered monetary difficulties and staffing problems, and changed ownership repeatedly. In 2014, the government agency ordered the establishment to shut down until the enclosures were improved. It reopened in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.