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A financially troubled wildlife park in New Zealand has announced it was forced to euthanise two of its older lions, with the destiny of the remaining five lions still unclear, following monetary problems.

The private wildlife park in the northern town of Whangārei shut down over the weekend.

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

“There were no real options left. The team and I are heartbroken,” said the sanctuary’s operator.

“Although it might possibly continue as a big cat facility under new ownership, such a future would require not only the purchase of the land but significant financial backing,” the manager noted.

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

“We had to part with Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were incurable and were declining. These decisions were made with utmost compassion and thoughtfulness,” the operator said.

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

“A few individuals have shown interest in acquiring the establishment and maintaining care for the lions. Even though the deadline is short and the circumstances remain unresolved, we are doing our utmost to pursue this possibility and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “feasible or humane option” due to their age, the group size involved, and their complex needs.

The sanctuary’s updates were overwhelmed by responses from concerned citizens, pleading for a reprieve for the remaining lions, while former staff members expressed hope that the sanctuary would review the course of action to euthanise them.

The operator mentioned that alongside the sympathetic words and words of condolence, she had also encountered menacing and insulting remarks.

“This is deeply distressing,” she commented. “We acknowledge that passions are strong, but we request kindness and courtesy as we navigate this tragic circumstance.”

The property owner chose not to respond.

The regulatory body clarified that the decision to put down the cats was the responsibility of the proprietors, and that it had been informed of the course of action.

A deputy director explained that euthanasia had to be performed compassionately, and in compliance with animal protection legislation.

“An regulatory officer will be present to ensure this is done appropriately,” the official noted. “We are satisfied that the establishment continues to satisfy its animal care and enclosure requirements.”

The park gained a degree of notoriety in the early part of the century when it was shown on a TV program about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it quickly faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was fatally attacked by a big cat while cleaning its enclosure.

The facility repeatedly ran into financial trouble and staffing problems, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries ordered the park to shut down until the facilities were improved. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.