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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was compelled to put down two of its elderly lions, with the fate of the other five lions still unclear, following financial difficulties.

The private wildlife reserve in the northern city of Whangārei shut down over the weekend.

In a online announcement, the facility explained that its proprietor had put the property up for sale in August, and the seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a challenging decision made by the landowner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The staff and I are deeply saddened,” commented the facility’s manager.

“Even though it may possibly continue as a big cat facility under new ownership, such a scenario would require not only the purchase of the land but substantial financial backing,” the manager noted.

In a recent announcement, the sanctuary verified that two of its lions had been humanely killed.

“We recently farewelled two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were incurable and were worsening. These decisions were made with deep care and deliberation,” the operator stated.

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

“A few individuals have expressed interest in acquiring the facility and providing for the lions. Even though the timeframe is short and the conditions remain unresolved, we are doing all we can to investigate this option and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “feasible or humane choice” due to their age, the quantity of animals involved, and their specialized requirements.

The facility’s posts were filled with comments from the community, pleading for a reprieve for the other big cats, while past workers expressed hope that the park would reconsider the decision to end their lives.

The operator stated that amid the supportive comments and expressions of sympathy, she had also been subjected to menacing and insulting comments.

“This is deeply distressing,” she said. “We understand that feelings are intense, but we request compassion and respect as we manage this tragic circumstance.”

The proprietor declined to comment.

The ministry for primary industries stated that the choice to put down the cats was the responsibility of the proprietors, and that it had been informed of the course of action.

A senior official commented that humane killing had to be performed ethically, and in line with wildlife regulations.

“An regulatory officer will be present to confirm this is done properly,” the representative said. “We are satisfied that the facility continues to satisfy its wildlife protection and containment requirements.”

The facility attained some recognition in the early 2000s when it appeared on a TV program about a famous animal trainer.

However, it quickly encountered difficulties. In 2009, a keeper was fatally attacked by a white tiger while performing maintenance.

The facility often ran into financial trouble and workforce challenges, and switched proprietors repeatedly. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries ordered the facility to shut down until the enclosures were modernized. It resumed operations in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.