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A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has announced it was forced to put down two of its older lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still unclear, following financial difficulties.

The privately owned wildlife sanctuary in the northern city of Whangārei shut down over the past weekend.

In a online announcement, the facility clarified that its owner had put the property up for sale in August, and the seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a tough decision made by the property owner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The staff and I are devastated,” said the sanctuary’s operator.

“Even though it may possibly continue as a wildlife attraction under different management, such a scenario would require not only the acquisition of the land but considerable monetary input,” the director noted.

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

“We recently farewelled two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were incurable and were worsening. These decisions were made with deep care and deliberation,” the manager stated.

However, there was a “flicker of optimism” for the other five lions, which the sanctuary had previously indicated would be euthanised.

“A handful of parties have expressed interest in buying the property and continuing to care for the lions. Even though the timeframe is tight and the circumstances remain unclear, we are doing our utmost to explore this opportunity and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “practical or humane alternative” due to their elderly status, the number of cats involved, and their demanding care.

The park’s announcements were flooded with messages from concerned citizens, pleading for a second chance for the surviving lions, while ex-employees expressed hope that the park would review the course of action to put them down.

The operator noted that amid the supportive comments and expressions of sympathy, she had also been subjected to hostile and offensive messages.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she said. “We understand that passions are strong, but we appeal for compassion and courtesy as we manage this tragic predicament.”

The landowner declined to comment.

The regulatory body clarified that the determination to put down the big cats lay with the landowners, and that it had been advised of the intention.

A high-ranking officer stated that putting down had to be carried out ethically, and in compliance with animal welfare law.

“An animal welfare inspector will be on location to ensure this is done appropriately,” the official noted. “We are assured that the facility continues to satisfy its wildlife protection and security obligations.”

The sanctuary achieved a degree of notoriety in the early part of the century when it featured on a broadcast series about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it soon ran into problems. In 2009, a staff member was mauled to death by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The park repeatedly ran into economic issues and staffing problems, and changed ownership repeatedly. In 2014, the regulatory body instructed the park to shut down until the habitats were modernized. It resumed operations in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.