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A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has revealed it was forced to humanely kill two of its senior lions, with the destiny of the other five lions still undecided, following economic struggles.

The privately owned wildlife sanctuary in the northern town of Whangārei ceased operations over the past weekend.

In a social media announcement, the establishment indicated that its owner had listed the land up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “after a difficult decision made by the property owner.”

“There were no real options left. The employees and I are devastated,” stated the park’s director.

“While it could possibly continue as a big cat facility under new ownership, such a future would require not only the purchase of the land but considerable monetary input,” the manager noted.

In a recent statement, the park verified that two of its lions had been put down.

“Yesterday we said goodbye Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were not treatable and were deteriorating. These actions were made with utmost compassion and thoughtfulness,” the director said.

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

“A handful of parties have expressed interest in acquiring the property and providing for the lions. While the window is short and the situation remain unclear, we are doing everything we can to explore this opportunity and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “practical or compassionate option” due to their age, the quantity of animals involved, and their demanding care.

The facility’s posts were flooded with comments from members of the public, pleading for a reprieve for the remaining lions, while former staff members expressed optimism that the facility would rethink the decision to put them down.

The operator noted that amid the kind messages and words of condolence, she had also encountered hostile and offensive messages.

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

The proprietor refused to comment.

The regulatory body stated that the choice to humanely kill the big cats rested with the owners, and that it had been notified of the intention.

A senior official stated that euthanasia had to be carried out compassionately, and in accordance with wildlife regulations.

“An animal welfare inspector will be onsite to verify this is done properly,” the spokesperson stated. “We are confident that the facility continues to meet its wildlife protection and security responsibilities.”

The facility attained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it was shown on a broadcast series about a famous animal trainer.

However, it soon ran into problems. In 2009, a handler was killed by a big cat while carrying out duties.

The facility repeatedly experienced monetary difficulties and employment issues, and switched proprietors multiple times. In 2014, the regulatory body ordered the park to shut down until the enclosures were modernized. It reopened in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.