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A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has stated it was obliged to put down two of its elderly lions, with the destiny of the remaining five lions still unclear, following economic struggles.

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

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

“No viable alternatives remained. The team and I are deeply saddened,” commented the sanctuary’s operator.

“Even though it may possibly continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a scenario would require not only the purchase of the property but considerable financial backing,” the manager explained.

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

“We recently farewelled two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were incurable and were deteriorating. These actions were made with utmost compassion and deliberation,” the operator remarked.

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

“A few individuals have indicated willingness in buying the facility and continuing to care for the lions. Even though the window is short and the conditions remain uncertain, we are doing everything we can to investigate this possibility and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “viable or ethical option” due to their elderly status, the number of cats involved, and their demanding care.

The park’s announcements were filled with comments from the community, pleading for a second chance for the other big cats, while ex-employees expressed desire that the park would reconsider the decision to euthanise them.

The director noted that among the sympathetic words and words of condolence, she had also received threatening and abusive comments.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she said. “We understand that passions are strong, but we request kindness and respect as we handle this tragic predicament.”

The landowner declined to comment.

The ministry for primary industries stated that the decision to euthanise the big cats rested with the landowners, and that it had been informed of the course of action.

A senior official commented that euthanasia had to be carried out compassionately, and in compliance with animal protection legislation.

“An regulatory officer will be onsite to ensure this is done appropriately,” the official stated. “We are assured that the establishment continues to satisfy its animal care and containment requirements.”

The facility achieved some recognition in the early 2000s when it featured on a TV program about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it soon faced challenges. In 2009, a keeper was mauled to death by a white tiger while carrying out duties.

The facility repeatedly ran into monetary difficulties and workforce challenges, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the regulatory body directed the park to shut down until the habitats were upgraded. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.