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A financially troubled wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was obliged to euthanise two of its older lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still unclear, following monetary problems.

The private wildlife sanctuary in the northern town of Whangārei closed its doors over the weekend.

In a social media post, the facility indicated that its proprietor had listed the land up for sale in August, and the seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a challenging decision made by the property owner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The staff and I are heartbroken,” commented the park’s director.

“While it could possibly continue as a big cat facility under different management, such a future would require not only the purchase of the property but considerable capital investment,” the manager noted.

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

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were incurable and were declining. These actions were made with utmost compassion and deliberation,” the director remarked.

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 buying the facility and continuing to care for the lions. Even though the window is short and the circumstances remain uncertain, we are doing all we can to pursue this opportunity and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “practical or ethical choice” due to their age, the quantity of animals involved, and their demanding care.

The park’s announcements were flooded with responses from concerned citizens, requesting a stay of execution for the surviving lions, while past workers expressed optimism that the park would review the decision to end their lives.

The manager noted that amid the sympathetic words and expressions of sympathy, she had also received threatening and offensive messages.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she remarked. “We recognize that feelings are intense, but we ask for consideration and respect as we navigate this devastating predicament.”

The proprietor chose not to respond.

The ministry for primary industries indicated that the choice to put down the big cats was the responsibility of the landowners, and that it had been advised of the plan.

A high-ranking officer explained that humane killing had to be conducted humanely, and in line with animal welfare law.

“An regulatory officer will be on location to verify this is done correctly,” the representative stated. “We are assured that the facility continues to satisfy its animal welfare and security responsibilities.”

The park attained a degree of notoriety in the early part of the century when it featured on a TV program about a celebrity big cat handler.

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

The facility frequently ran into economic issues and employment issues, and had multiple owners on several occasions. In 2014, the regulatory body directed the park to cease operations until the habitats were improved. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.