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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was forced to humanely kill two of its older lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still unclear, following financial difficulties.

The privately owned wildlife reserve in the northern town of Whangārei shut down over the weekend.

In a social media announcement, the establishment clarified that its proprietor had listed the land up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a challenging decision made by the landowner.”

“There were no real options left. The employees and I are devastated,” said the sanctuary’s operator.

“While it could potentially continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a outcome would require not only the acquisition of the property but considerable monetary input,” the operator added.

In a subsequent announcement, the facility confirmed that two of its lions had been humanely killed.

“We recently farewelled Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had significant medical issues that were not treatable and were worsening. These decisions were made with profound consideration and thoughtfulness,” the manager stated.

However, there was a “glimmer of hope” for the other five lions, which the facility had previously indicated would be put down.

“A several interested parties have indicated willingness in buying the establishment and maintaining care for the lions. Even though the window is limited and the conditions remain unresolved, we are doing everything we can to investigate this possibility and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “feasible or compassionate option” due to their elderly status, the quantity of animals involved, and their specialized requirements.

The park’s announcements were filled with comments from the community, requesting a reprieve for the remaining lions, while former staff members expressed optimism that the facility would reconsider the course of action to end their lives.

The operator stated that amid the sympathetic words and words of condolence, she had also encountered menacing and abusive comments.

“This is deeply distressing,” she said. “We understand that emotions are high, but we request consideration and decency as we navigate this heartbreaking situation.”

The landowner chose not to respond.

The government department stated that the determination to euthanise the cats was the responsibility of the owners, and that it had been notified of the plan.

A senior official explained that putting down had to be carried out humanely, and in accordance with animal welfare law.

“An regulatory officer will be on location to ensure this is done appropriately,” the official noted. “We are assured that the establishment continues to meet its wildlife protection and security responsibilities.”

The sanctuary achieved some recognition in the early 2000s when it featured on a television show about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it rapidly encountered difficulties. In 2009, a staff member was fatally attacked by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The park repeatedly experienced economic issues and workforce challenges, and had multiple owners repeatedly. In 2014, the government agency ordered the establishment to shut down until the enclosures were upgraded. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.