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A financially troubled wildlife park in New Zealand has revealed it was obliged to humanely kill two of its elderly lions, with the fate 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 weekend.

In a social media update, the establishment explained that its proprietor had listed the land up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “following a challenging decision made by the property owner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The staff and I are devastated,” commented the sanctuary’s operator.

“Even though it may possibly continue as a wildlife attraction under fresh proprietors, such a scenario would require not only the purchase of the land but considerable monetary input,” the director noted.

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

“We had to part with Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had significant medical issues that were incurable and were worsening. These decisions were made with profound consideration and thoughtfulness,” the director remarked.

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

“A few individuals have expressed interest in purchasing the property and maintaining care for the lions. Even though the window is short and the circumstances remain unresolved, we are doing our utmost to explore this option and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “viable or ethical option” due to their elderly status, the number of cats involved, and their complex needs.

The sanctuary’s updates were filled with responses from the community, requesting a reprieve for the other big cats, while past workers expressed optimism that the facility would reconsider the plan to put them down.

The operator noted that alongside the sympathetic words and words of condolence, she had also encountered hostile and abusive remarks.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she remarked. “We recognize that feelings are intense, but we request compassion and respect as we navigate this tragic situation.”

The proprietor chose not to respond.

The regulatory body stated that the decision to euthanise the lions was the responsibility of the owners, and that it had been informed of the intention.

A deputy director stated that humane killing had to be performed humanely, and in line with animal protection legislation.

“An regulatory officer will be onsite to confirm this is done correctly,” the spokesperson said. “We are confident that the establishment continues to meet its animal care and containment requirements.”

The park gained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it featured on a television show about a famous animal trainer.

However, it quickly faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was fatally attacked by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The sanctuary often encountered economic issues and workforce challenges, and switched proprietors repeatedly. In 2014, the government agency instructed the park to cease operations until the facilities were improved. It reopened in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.