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A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has announced it was forced to humanely kill two of its elderly lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still uncertain, following economic struggles.

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

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

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

“Even though it may potentially continue as a big cat facility under different management, such a future would require not only the purchase of the land but substantial financial backing,” the operator added.

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

“Yesterday we said goodbye two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were untreatable and were deteriorating. These decisions were made with profound consideration and deliberation,” the director stated.

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

“A handful of parties have shown interest in purchasing the facility and maintaining care for the lions. While the window is short and the conditions remain uncertain, we are doing all we can to investigate this possibility and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “feasible or humane option” due to their elderly status, the number of cats involved, and their complex needs.

The sanctuary’s updates were flooded with comments from members of the public, pleading for a stay of execution for the surviving lions, while former staff members expressed hope that the park would review the decision to put them down.

The operator mentioned that among the sympathetic words and expressions of sympathy, she had also received threatening and insulting remarks.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she remarked. “We understand that emotions are high, but we request compassion and respect as we manage this heartbreaking predicament.”

The property owner declined to comment.

The regulatory body indicated that the choice to euthanise the lions lay with the landowners, and that it had been advised of the intention.

A senior official explained that putting down had to be performed ethically, and in line with animal welfare law.

“An regulatory officer will be on location to confirm this is done appropriately,” the official said. “We are confident that the operation continues to meet its wildlife protection and enclosure obligations.”

The sanctuary gained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it featured on a TV program about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it rapidly encountered difficulties. In 2009, a staff member was mauled to death by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The facility frequently ran into financial trouble and staffing problems, and changed ownership on several occasions. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries directed the facility to cease operations until the habitats were upgraded. It reopened in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.