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A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has announced it was compelled to euthanise two of its senior lions, with the fate of the other five lions still undecided, following economic struggles.

The private wildlife park in the northern city of Whangārei ceased operations over the weekend.

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

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

“Although it might potentially continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a future would require not only the acquisition of the land but significant capital investment,” the operator explained.

In a subsequent update, the sanctuary announced that two of its lions had been humanely killed.

“We had to part with Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had grave illnesses that were untreatable and were declining. These choices were made with profound consideration and deliberation,” the operator said.

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

“A handful of parties have expressed interest in purchasing the property and maintaining care for the lions. Although the window is tight and the situation remain unclear, we are doing our utmost to investigate this option and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “practical or ethical option” due to their elderly status, the group size involved, and their demanding care.

The facility’s posts were overwhelmed by responses from concerned citizens, begging for a stay of execution for the other big cats, while former staff members expressed desire that the facility would rethink the decision to put them down.

The director mentioned that amid the supportive comments and expressions of sympathy, she had also encountered threatening and offensive remarks.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she commented. “We acknowledge that passions are strong, but we request compassion and decency as we navigate this heartbreaking circumstance.”

The landowner declined to comment.

The regulatory body stated that the determination to euthanise the cats lay with the landowners, and that it had been advised of the course of action.

A high-ranking officer commented that putting down had to be conducted compassionately, and in line with wildlife regulations.

“An compliance official will be present to confirm this is done correctly,” the representative said. “We are confident that the operation continues to fulfill its animal care and containment requirements.”

The sanctuary achieved a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it was shown on a TV program about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it soon faced challenges. In 2009, a handler was mauled to death by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The facility often experienced economic issues and employment issues, and had multiple owners repeatedly. In 2014, the regulatory body instructed the establishment to close until the habitats were modernized. It reopened in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.