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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was obliged to put down two of its older lions, with the fate of the other five lions still unclear, following financial difficulties.

The privately owned wildlife sanctuary in the northern town of Whangārei ceased operations over the weekend.

In a social media update, the establishment clarified that its proprietor had listed the land up for sale in August, and the seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “following a challenging decision made by the property owner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The employees and I are devastated,” commented the facility’s manager.

“Even though it may potentially continue as a wildlife attraction under fresh proprietors, such a outcome would require not only the purchase of the land but considerable monetary input,” the director added.

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

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

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

“A handful of parties have shown interest in buying the establishment and continuing to care for the lions. While the deadline is tight and the circumstances remain uncertain, we are doing our utmost to pursue this opportunity and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “viable or ethical choice” due to their elderly status, the group size involved, and their specialized requirements.

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

The operator stated that amid the sympathetic words and expressions of sympathy, she had also encountered menacing and insulting comments.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she remarked. “We recognize that emotions are high, but we ask for compassion and respect as we navigate this tragic predicament.”

The proprietor chose not to respond.

The government department clarified that the choice to humanely kill the cats was the responsibility of the owners, and that it had been notified of the plan.

A senior official commented that euthanasia had to be conducted humanely, and in accordance with wildlife regulations.

“An regulatory officer will be present to confirm this is done appropriately,” the spokesperson said. “We are assured that the operation continues to meet its animal care and containment obligations.”

The park attained a degree of notoriety in the early part of the century when it featured on a television show about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it soon ran into problems. In 2009, a handler was fatally attacked by a big cat while cleaning its enclosure.

The sanctuary often experienced monetary difficulties and workforce challenges, and had multiple owners on several occasions. In 2014, the government agency directed the establishment to cease operations until the facilities were improved. It restarted in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.