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A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has revealed it was compelled to put down two of its older lions, with the outcome of the remaining five lions still unclear, following economic struggles.

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

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

“No viable alternatives remained. The employees and I are deeply saddened,” said the park’s director.

“Even though it may potentially continue as a wildlife attraction under different management, such a scenario would require not only the purchase of the property but substantial capital investment,” the manager added.

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

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were untreatable and were deteriorating. These decisions were made with deep care and consideration,” the director stated.

However, there was a “flicker of optimism” for the remaining five lions, which the park had previously indicated would be humanely killed.

“A several interested parties have shown interest in buying the facility and maintaining care for the lions. While the timeframe is limited and the circumstances remain unresolved, we are doing our utmost to investigate this possibility and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “viable or compassionate option” due to their age, the quantity of animals involved, and their specialized requirements.

The sanctuary’s updates were overwhelmed by responses from concerned citizens, requesting a reprieve for the other big cats, while ex-employees expressed desire that the sanctuary would rethink the course of action to end their lives.

The operator mentioned that alongside the kind messages and words of condolence, she had also encountered threatening and insulting messages.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she said. “We recognize that emotions are high, but we request compassion and courtesy as we manage this tragic situation.”

The proprietor refused to comment.

The government department clarified that the determination to humanely kill the lions rested with the owners, and that it had been advised of the intention.

A high-ranking officer commented that putting down had to be conducted compassionately, and in accordance with animal welfare law.

“An animal welfare inspector will be onsite to confirm this is done appropriately,” the representative noted. “We are satisfied that the facility continues to satisfy its animal welfare and containment responsibilities.”

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

However, it soon faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was fatally attacked by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The sanctuary frequently encountered financial trouble and staffing problems, and changed ownership multiple times. In 2014, the government agency directed the park to shut down until the habitats were modernized. It restarted in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.