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A financially troubled wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has stated it was forced to put down two of its older lions, with the destiny of the other five lions still undecided, following financial difficulties.

The private wildlife sanctuary in the northern city of Whangārei shut down over the past weekend.

In a social media update, the establishment indicated that its owner had put the property up for sale in August, and the seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a tough decision made by the property owner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The employees and I are devastated,” said the facility’s manager.

“Although it might potentially continue as a wildlife attraction under fresh proprietors, such a outcome would require not only the purchase of the land but significant capital investment,” the operator noted.

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

“Yesterday we said goodbye Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had significant medical issues that were not treatable and were declining. These decisions were made with deep care and consideration,” the manager stated.

However, there was a “ray of hope” for the remaining five lions, which the facility had previously indicated would be put down.

“A handful of parties have expressed interest in buying the establishment and maintaining care for the lions. Even though the deadline is limited and the situation remain uncertain, we are doing all we can to investigate this opportunity and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “feasible or ethical alternative” due to their age, the group size involved, and their specialized requirements.

The sanctuary’s updates were flooded with responses from the community, begging for a reprieve for the surviving lions, while ex-employees expressed desire that the facility would rethink the decision to put them down.

The operator mentioned that among the sympathetic words and messages of sorrow, she had also been subjected to threatening and insulting remarks.

“This is deeply distressing,” she said. “We acknowledge that passions are strong, but we request compassion and decency as we manage this heartbreaking situation.”

The property owner declined to comment.

The government department indicated that the choice to humanely kill the cats lay with the owners, and that it had been informed of the intention.

A senior official explained that humane killing had to be performed humanely, and in line with wildlife regulations.

“An animal welfare inspector will be onsite to ensure this is done appropriately,” the spokesperson said. “We are satisfied that the establishment continues to meet its wildlife protection and enclosure requirements.”

The facility achieved minor fame in the early 2000s when it featured on a television show about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it quickly encountered difficulties. In 2009, a staff member was mauled to death by a white tiger while carrying out duties.

The park frequently encountered financial trouble and employment issues, and switched proprietors multiple times. In 2014, the regulatory body ordered the facility to shut down until the facilities were upgraded. It restarted in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.