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A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has revealed it was obliged to humanely kill two of its senior lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still undecided, following financial difficulties.

The privately owned wildlife park in the northern town of Whangārei closed its doors over the weekend.

In a online post, the establishment indicated 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 “after a tough decision made by the landowner.”

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

“Although it might possibly continue as a wildlife attraction under different management, such a scenario would require not only the purchase of the land but significant monetary input,” the manager noted.

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

“We recently farewelled two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were incurable and were deteriorating. These actions were made with deep care and deliberation,” the manager remarked.

However, there was a “flicker of optimism” for the other five lions, which the facility had previously indicated would be euthanised.

“A handful of parties have expressed interest in buying the property and continuing to care for the lions. Even though the timeframe is limited and the situation remain unclear, we are doing all we can to pursue this opportunity and maintain optimism.”

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

The facility’s posts were overwhelmed by responses from the community, requesting a reprieve for the remaining lions, while past workers expressed hope that the facility would reconsider the decision to euthanise them.

The operator noted that amid the sympathetic words and messages of sorrow, she had also been subjected to threatening and offensive remarks.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she remarked. “We recognize that feelings are intense, but we appeal for consideration and decency as we navigate this heartbreaking predicament.”

The proprietor chose not to respond.

The regulatory body indicated that the decision to humanely kill the lions was the responsibility of the landowners, and that it had been informed of the course of action.

A senior official commented that putting down had to be carried out humanely, and in compliance with animal protection legislation.

“An animal welfare inspector will be onsite to ensure this is done appropriately,” the spokesperson said. “We are assured that the establishment continues to satisfy its animal care and enclosure requirements.”

The park gained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it was shown on a broadcast series about a famous animal trainer.

However, it soon encountered difficulties. In 2009, a staff member was killed by a big cat while cleaning its enclosure.

The park repeatedly experienced financial trouble and employment issues, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the government agency ordered the establishment to shut down until the enclosures were modernized. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.