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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was obliged to humanely kill two of its elderly lions, with the fate of the other five lions still unclear, following economic struggles.

The privately owned wildlife reserve in the northern town of Whangārei closed its doors over the past weekend.

In a social media update, the facility indicated that its proprietor had put the property up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “following a difficult decision made by the property owner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The team and I are heartbroken,” stated the facility’s manager.

“While it could possibly continue as a lion park under different management, such a outcome would require not only the purchase of the land but substantial capital investment,” the manager noted.

In a recent announcement, the facility confirmed that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We recently farewelled two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were incurable and were declining. These actions were made with profound consideration and consideration,” the director stated.

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

“A few individuals have shown interest in acquiring the facility and providing for the lions. Although the deadline is tight and the situation remain unresolved, we are doing everything we can to investigate this option and hold onto hope.”

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

The park’s announcements were flooded with comments from the community, begging for a reprieve for the other big cats, while past workers expressed optimism that the sanctuary would rethink the plan to euthanise them.

The director noted that amid the kind messages and expressions of sympathy, she had also been subjected to threatening and insulting comments.

“This is deeply distressing,” she remarked. “We recognize that feelings are intense, but we request compassion and courtesy as we handle this tragic predicament.”

The property owner chose not to respond.

The government department stated that the choice to euthanise the big cats was the responsibility of the landowners, and that it had been notified of the plan.

A deputy director explained that humane killing had to be performed compassionately, and in line with wildlife regulations.

“An regulatory officer will be onsite to verify this is done appropriately,” the spokesperson stated. “We are confident that the establishment continues to fulfill its wildlife protection and enclosure responsibilities.”

The facility achieved a degree of notoriety in the early part of the century when it featured on a television show about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it quickly faced challenges. In 2009, a handler was killed by a big cat while cleaning its enclosure.

The facility repeatedly ran into financial trouble and workforce challenges, and switched proprietors multiple times. In 2014, the government agency ordered the facility to close until the habitats were improved. It reopened in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.