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A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was compelled to euthanise two of its older lions, with the outcome of the other five lions still unclear, following economic struggles.

The privately owned wildlife sanctuary in the northern city of Whangārei closed its doors over the past weekend.

In a social media post, the establishment explained that its owner had put the property up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “following a challenging decision made by the landowner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The employees and I are heartbroken,” commented the sanctuary’s operator.

“Even though it may potentially continue as a lion park under fresh proprietors, such a scenario would require not only the acquisition of the property but substantial capital investment,” the manager added.

In a later announcement, the sanctuary verified that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We recently farewelled two of our lions, both of whom had significant medical issues that were untreatable and were worsening. These decisions were made with deep care and thoughtfulness,” the director said.

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

“A few individuals have expressed interest in acquiring the establishment and continuing to care for the lions. While the timeframe is tight and the situation remain uncertain, we are doing all we can to pursue this possibility and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “viable or humane alternative” due to their age, the number of cats involved, and their demanding care.

The facility’s posts were overwhelmed by messages from the community, begging for a second chance for the remaining lions, while past workers expressed optimism that the park would review the plan to euthanise them.

The operator mentioned that alongside the supportive comments and messages of sorrow, she had also encountered menacing and insulting messages.

“This is deeply distressing,” she commented. “We understand that emotions are high, but we request compassion and courtesy as we manage this tragic predicament.”

The proprietor declined to comment.

The regulatory body indicated that the determination to put down the lions was the responsibility of the landowners, and that it had been notified of the intention.

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

“An compliance official will be present to verify this is done correctly,” the official said. “We are assured that the establishment continues to satisfy its animal care and containment obligations.”

The sanctuary gained some recognition in the early part of the century when it appeared on a broadcast series about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it soon faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was killed by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The park repeatedly experienced financial trouble and workforce challenges, and had multiple owners on several occasions. In 2014, the government agency ordered the facility to shut down until the habitats were improved. It resumed operations in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.