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A struggling wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has revealed it was obliged to humanely kill two of its senior lions, with the fate of the other five lions still unclear, following economic struggles.

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

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

“All possibilities were exhausted. The team and I are deeply saddened,” said the sanctuary’s operator.

“Even though it may potentially continue as a wildlife attraction under fresh proprietors, such a outcome would require not only the purchase of the land but significant monetary input,” the operator added.

In a later statement, the facility announced that two of its lions had been euthanised.

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

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

“A handful of parties have shown interest in purchasing the facility and continuing to care for the lions. Even though the timeframe is tight and the situation remain uncertain, we are doing our utmost to pursue this opportunity and maintain optimism.”

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

The park’s announcements were filled with comments from concerned citizens, pleading for a reprieve for the remaining lions, while former staff members expressed hope that the park would reconsider the course of action to end their lives.

The manager mentioned that amid the sympathetic words and expressions of sympathy, she had also encountered menacing and abusive messages.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she remarked. “We understand that passions are strong, but we appeal for kindness and respect as we manage this tragic situation.”

The proprietor chose not to respond.

The government department indicated that the determination to euthanise the cats was the responsibility of the owners, and that it had been notified of the plan.

A deputy director commented that putting down had to be conducted ethically, and in line with wildlife regulations.

“An animal welfare inspector will be on location to verify this is done correctly,” the official stated. “We are confident that the facility continues to fulfill its wildlife protection and enclosure requirements.”

The park gained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it appeared on a TV program about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it soon faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was fatally attacked by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The sanctuary repeatedly experienced monetary difficulties and staffing problems, and changed ownership on several occasions. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries directed the establishment to close until the enclosures were upgraded. It restarted in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.