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A financially troubled wildlife park in New Zealand has announced it was compelled to humanely kill two of its elderly lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still uncertain, following monetary problems.

The private wildlife park in the northern town of Whangārei shut down over the weekend.

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

“All possibilities were exhausted. The staff and I are devastated,” stated the facility’s manager.

“While it could possibly continue as a wildlife attraction under new ownership, such a outcome would require not only the acquisition of the land but considerable capital investment,” the operator noted.

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

“We recently farewelled Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had grave illnesses that were untreatable and were worsening. These decisions were made with utmost compassion and thoughtfulness,” the director stated.

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

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

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “viable or humane alternative” due to their advanced age, the number of cats involved, and their complex needs.

The facility’s posts were filled with messages from members of the public, pleading for a reprieve for the other big cats, while ex-employees expressed hope that the facility would rethink the plan to put them down.

The operator noted that among the kind messages and messages of sorrow, she had also encountered hostile and abusive remarks.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she remarked. “We understand that passions are strong, but we appeal for consideration and decency as we navigate this heartbreaking circumstance.”

The landowner declined to comment.

The regulatory body clarified that the decision to euthanise the lions lay with the landowners, and that it had been informed of the plan.

A high-ranking officer stated that putting down had to be performed compassionately, and in line with wildlife regulations.

“An animal welfare inspector will be present to ensure this is done properly,” the representative stated. “We are confident that the facility continues to fulfill its animal welfare and containment responsibilities.”

The facility gained some recognition in the early part of the century when it featured on a TV program about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it rapidly ran into problems. In 2009, a handler was mauled to death by a big cat while carrying out duties.

The sanctuary frequently ran into financial trouble and employment issues, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the regulatory body ordered the establishment to close until the habitats were modernized. It resumed operations in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.