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A financially troubled wildlife park in New Zealand has announced it was compelled to euthanise two of its older lions, with the destiny of the other five lions still unclear, following monetary problems.

The private wildlife reserve in the northern town of Whangārei closed its doors over the past weekend.

In a online update, the facility explained 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 euthanised “following a challenging decision made by the property owner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The staff and I are deeply saddened,” stated the sanctuary’s operator.

“While it could possibly continue as a lion park under different management, such a outcome would require not only the purchase of the property but significant capital investment,” the operator added.

In a later update, the park confirmed that two of its lions had been humanely killed.

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had significant medical issues that were not treatable and were worsening. These decisions were made with utmost compassion and deliberation,” the manager remarked.

However, there was a “glimmer of hope” for the remaining five lions, which the sanctuary had earlier indicated would be put down.

“A few individuals have indicated willingness in buying the establishment and maintaining care for the lions. While the deadline is tight and the conditions remain uncertain, we are doing all we can to explore this opportunity and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “viable or ethical option” due to their elderly status, the number of cats involved, and their specialized requirements.

The sanctuary’s updates were filled with comments from concerned citizens, requesting a stay of execution for the other big cats, while past workers expressed optimism that the park would rethink the decision to put them down.

The director mentioned that among the sympathetic words and messages of sorrow, she had also been subjected to menacing and abusive messages.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she said. “We recognize that passions are strong, but we request kindness and courtesy as we navigate this tragic predicament.”

The landowner refused to comment.

The regulatory body clarified that the decision to put down the big cats lay with the proprietors, and that it had been informed of the plan.

A high-ranking officer explained that euthanasia had to be conducted humanely, and in line with animal protection legislation.

“An regulatory officer will be onsite to verify this is done correctly,” the spokesperson said. “We are confident that the establishment continues to satisfy its wildlife protection and enclosure responsibilities.”

The park gained minor fame in the early 2000s when it was shown on a TV program about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it quickly faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was mauled to death by a big cat while cleaning its enclosure.

The sanctuary frequently encountered monetary difficulties and staffing problems, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the government agency directed the facility to cease operations until the enclosures were improved. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.