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A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has announced it was obliged to put down two of its senior lions, with the fate of the other five lions still undecided, following economic struggles.

The private wildlife park in the northern town of Whangārei ceased operations over the weekend.

In a social media post, the establishment indicated that its proprietor 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 tough decision made by the landowner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The team and I are deeply saddened,” commented the facility’s manager.

“Even though it may possibly continue as a big cat facility under different management, such a outcome would require not only the purchase of the land but considerable monetary input,” the operator added.

In a subsequent announcement, the facility confirmed that two of its lions had been humanely killed.

“We had to part with Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had grave illnesses that were not treatable and were declining. These actions were made with utmost compassion and consideration,” the manager remarked.

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

“A several interested parties have shown interest in buying the establishment and providing for the lions. Although the deadline is tight and the situation remain unclear, we are doing our utmost to explore this opportunity and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “feasible or compassionate option” due to their advanced age, the number of cats involved, and their specialized requirements.

The facility’s posts were flooded with messages from members of the public, requesting a second chance for the surviving lions, while past workers expressed hope that the sanctuary would rethink the decision to euthanise them.

The director noted that amid the kind messages and expressions of sympathy, she had also received menacing and insulting messages.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she said. “We recognize that emotions are high, but we request compassion and courtesy as we handle this heartbreaking predicament.”

The property owner declined to comment.

The ministry for primary industries stated that the determination to put down the cats lay with the owners, and that it had been notified of the intention.

A high-ranking officer commented that euthanasia had to be carried out ethically, and in line with animal protection legislation.

“An compliance official will be onsite to verify this is done correctly,” the representative noted. “We are satisfied that the establishment continues to fulfill its animal care and containment obligations.”

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

However, it rapidly ran into problems. In 2009, a keeper was mauled to death by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The facility repeatedly encountered economic issues and workforce challenges, and changed ownership on several occasions. In 2014, the government agency instructed the park to cease operations until the facilities were modernized. It reopened in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.