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A beleaguered wildlife park 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 uncertain, following monetary problems.

The private wildlife park in the northern town of Whangārei closed its doors over the past weekend.

In a online post, the establishment explained 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 challenging decision made by the property owner.”

“There were no real options left. The staff and I are deeply saddened,” said the park’s director.

“Although it might potentially continue as a lion park under different management, such a outcome would require not only the acquisition of the land but significant capital investment,” the operator explained.

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

“We had to part with Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had grave illnesses that were untreatable and were declining. These actions were made with deep care and deliberation,” the director said.

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

“A handful of parties have expressed interest in acquiring the property and maintaining care for the lions. While the timeframe is tight and the circumstances remain unresolved, we are doing everything we can to pursue this opportunity and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “viable or compassionate choice” due to their elderly status, the number of cats involved, and their specialized requirements.

The park’s announcements were flooded with messages from the community, pleading for a stay of execution for the other big cats, while past workers expressed hope that the facility would rethink the course of action to put them down.

The operator stated that among the kind messages and words of condolence, she had also received threatening and offensive remarks.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she commented. “We understand that passions are strong, but we ask for consideration and decency as we handle this heartbreaking circumstance.”

The proprietor refused to comment.

The ministry for primary industries indicated that the choice to put down the cats lay with the proprietors, and that it had been notified of the plan.

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

“An animal welfare inspector will be present to verify this is done correctly,” the representative said. “We are assured that the establishment continues to meet its animal welfare and security requirements.”

The sanctuary gained some recognition in the early part of the century when it was shown on a television show about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it quickly faced challenges. In 2009, a keeper was killed by a white tiger while carrying out duties.

The facility often encountered economic issues and employment issues, and changed ownership on several occasions. In 2014, the regulatory body ordered the park to shut down until the habitats were upgraded. It resumed operations in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.