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A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has announced it was obliged to humanely kill two of its older lions, with the fate of the other five lions still unclear, following monetary problems.

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

In a social media update, the facility explained 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 “following a tough decision made by the landowner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The employees and I are deeply saddened,” said the park’s director.

“While it could possibly continue as a wildlife attraction under different management, such a scenario would require not only the acquisition of the property but significant capital investment,” the manager noted.

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

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were untreatable and were declining. These decisions were made with utmost compassion and consideration,” the director remarked.

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

“A several interested parties have expressed interest in buying the facility and providing for the lions. Even though the deadline is tight and the situation remain unclear, we are doing everything we can to explore this option and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “viable or ethical choice” due to their advanced age, the quantity of animals involved, and their complex needs.

The sanctuary’s updates were filled with comments from the community, begging for a stay of execution for the remaining lions, while former staff members expressed hope that the sanctuary would reconsider the decision to put them down.

The operator mentioned that among the sympathetic words and expressions of sympathy, she had also encountered hostile and insulting comments.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she said. “We recognize that feelings are intense, but we ask for compassion and courtesy as we handle this tragic circumstance.”

The landowner chose not to respond.

The government department stated that the decision to euthanise the big cats rested with the landowners, and that it had been informed of the course of action.

A high-ranking officer stated that humane killing had to be carried out humanely, and in line with animal protection legislation.

“An animal welfare inspector will be present to ensure this is done correctly,” the spokesperson noted. “We are assured that the facility continues to fulfill its wildlife protection and enclosure requirements.”

The sanctuary achieved some recognition in the early 2000s when it featured on a television show about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it quickly encountered difficulties. In 2009, a handler was fatally attacked by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The sanctuary often experienced economic issues and staffing problems, and switched proprietors on several occasions. In 2014, the government agency instructed the establishment to close until the habitats were improved. It reopened in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.