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A financially troubled wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was forced to humanely kill two of its senior lions, with the outcome of the other five lions still unclear, following economic struggles.

The privately owned wildlife reserve in the northern town of Whangārei shut down over the weekend.

In a online update, 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 “following a challenging decision made by the landowner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The staff and I are heartbroken,” said the facility’s manager.

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

In a recent statement, the facility announced that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had significant medical issues that were untreatable and were deteriorating. These choices were made with profound consideration and consideration,” the operator said.

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

“A few individuals have indicated willingness in buying the establishment and continuing to care for the lions. Although the deadline is short and the circumstances remain unclear, we are doing our utmost to explore this opportunity and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “viable or compassionate option” due to their elderly status, the group size involved, and their complex needs.

The facility’s posts were overwhelmed by comments from members of the public, requesting a stay of execution for the other big cats, while past workers expressed optimism that the sanctuary would reconsider the course of action to put them down.

The director noted that among the sympathetic words and expressions of sympathy, she had also been subjected to threatening and abusive comments.

“This is deeply distressing,” she remarked. “We acknowledge that passions are strong, but we request compassion and respect as we navigate this heartbreaking circumstance.”

The property owner chose not to respond.

The regulatory body stated that the choice to put down the big cats was the responsibility of the landowners, and that it had been informed of the intention.

A senior official explained that putting down had to be carried out ethically, and in line with wildlife regulations.

“An animal welfare inspector will be on location to verify this is done properly,” the official noted. “We are satisfied that the operation continues to fulfill its animal care and enclosure responsibilities.”

The sanctuary gained minor fame in the early 2000s when it appeared on a television show about a famous animal trainer.

However, it soon encountered difficulties. In 2009, a handler was fatally attacked by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The park frequently encountered economic issues and employment issues, and had multiple owners repeatedly. In 2014, the regulatory body instructed the park to cease operations until the habitats were modernized. It resumed operations in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.