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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was forced to euthanise two of its elderly lions, with the fate 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 social media post, the facility explained that its owner had listed the land up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “after a tough decision made by the property owner.”

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

“While it could possibly continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a outcome would require not only the purchase of the land but substantial capital investment,” the manager explained.

In a later statement, the park announced that two of its lions had been put down.

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were untreatable and were worsening. These choices were made with deep care and deliberation,” the director stated.

However, there was a “ray of hope” for the other five lions, which the sanctuary had earlier indicated would be put down.

“A several interested parties have expressed interest in buying the property and maintaining care for the lions. While the deadline is short and the conditions remain uncertain, we are doing all we can to explore this opportunity and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “viable or humane option” due to their advanced age, the number of cats involved, and their demanding care.

The sanctuary’s updates were filled with responses from members of the public, pleading for a second chance for the other big cats, while past workers expressed desire that the sanctuary would rethink the decision to put them down.

The manager noted that among the supportive comments and expressions of sympathy, she had also encountered hostile and insulting remarks.

“This is deeply distressing,” she commented. “We understand that emotions are high, but we request consideration and decency as we navigate this heartbreaking circumstance.”

The landowner chose not to respond.

The government department clarified that the decision to euthanise the cats rested with the proprietors, and that it had been notified of the plan.

A senior official explained that euthanasia had to be performed humanely, and in accordance with animal protection legislation.

“An compliance official will be present to confirm this is done properly,” the representative noted. “We are confident that the facility continues to fulfill its wildlife protection and security responsibilities.”

The sanctuary gained some recognition in the early 2000s when it was shown on a TV program about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it soon encountered difficulties. In 2009, a handler was fatally attacked by a white tiger while carrying out duties.

The facility repeatedly encountered monetary difficulties and employment issues, and changed ownership multiple times. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries ordered the park to cease operations until the facilities were modernized. It restarted in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.