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A struggling wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has revealed it was forced to humanely kill two of its elderly lions, with the destiny of the remaining five lions still undecided, following economic struggles.

The private wildlife park in the northern city of Whangārei closed its doors over the weekend.

In a online update, the facility indicated that its owner had listed the land up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “after a tough decision made by the property owner.”

“There were no real options left. The staff and I are deeply saddened,” stated the facility’s manager.

“While it could possibly continue as a wildlife attraction under new ownership, such a scenario would require not only the purchase of the land but considerable financial backing,” the operator noted.

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

“We recently farewelled two of our lions, both of whom had significant medical issues that were untreatable and were worsening. These actions were made with deep care and consideration,” the operator stated.

However, there was a “ray of hope” for the remaining five lions, which the facility had previously indicated would be euthanised.

“A few individuals have shown interest in purchasing the establishment and continuing to care for the lions. While the deadline is limited and the situation remain uncertain, we are doing all we can to pursue this possibility and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “practical or humane option” due to their age, the group size involved, and their demanding care.

The facility’s posts were filled with responses from members of the public, requesting a stay of execution for the remaining lions, while former staff members expressed hope that the sanctuary would rethink the course of action to put them down.

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

“This is extremely upsetting,” she remarked. “We acknowledge that passions are strong, but we ask for kindness and decency as we navigate this tragic circumstance.”

The proprietor refused to comment.

The regulatory body stated that the choice to put down the lions lay with the proprietors, and that it had been advised of the plan.

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

“An animal welfare inspector will be on location to confirm this is done properly,” the official said. “We are assured that the establishment continues to fulfill its animal care and security requirements.”

The sanctuary attained some recognition in the early 2000s when it appeared on a television show about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it rapidly faced challenges. In 2009, a keeper was mauled to death by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The sanctuary frequently encountered monetary difficulties and employment issues, and switched proprietors multiple times. In 2014, the regulatory body ordered the facility to shut down until the habitats were upgraded. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.