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A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was obliged to put down two of its senior lions, with the destiny of the remaining five lions still undecided, following monetary problems.

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

In a online announcement, the establishment clarified that its owner had listed the land up for sale in August, and the seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “after a tough decision made by the landowner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The employees and I are devastated,” commented the facility’s manager.

“Although it might potentially continue as a lion park under different management, such a outcome would require not only the purchase of the property but significant financial backing,” the manager added.

In a subsequent announcement, the park confirmed that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were untreatable and were deteriorating. These actions were made with profound consideration and consideration,” the director remarked.

However, there was a “flicker of optimism” for the other five lions, which the sanctuary had previously indicated would be euthanised.

“A several interested parties have indicated willingness in buying the establishment and maintaining care for the lions. Even though the timeframe is short and the circumstances remain uncertain, we are doing all we can to investigate this opportunity and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “viable or humane alternative” due to their elderly status, the number of cats involved, and their specialized requirements.

The facility’s posts were flooded with comments from the community, pleading for a reprieve for the other big cats, while former staff members expressed optimism that the facility would reconsider the course of action to euthanise them.

The manager noted that alongside the sympathetic words and messages of sorrow, she had also been subjected to threatening and abusive comments.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she remarked. “We acknowledge that passions are strong, but we request kindness and decency as we handle this devastating predicament.”

The landowner chose not to respond.

The government department indicated that the choice to put down the lions rested with the owners, and that it had been informed of the course of action.

A high-ranking officer stated that humane killing had to be performed humanely, and in compliance with animal welfare law.

“An regulatory officer will be on location to verify this is done appropriately,” the spokesperson noted. “We are confident that the establishment continues to fulfill its animal welfare and enclosure obligations.”

The sanctuary achieved a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it featured on a broadcast series about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it quickly ran into problems. In 2009, a handler was fatally attacked by a big cat while cleaning its enclosure.

The sanctuary often encountered financial trouble and staffing problems, and had multiple owners repeatedly. In 2014, the government agency instructed the establishment to close until the habitats were improved. It restarted in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.