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A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has announced it was forced to humanely kill two of its elderly lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still uncertain, following economic struggles.

The privately owned wildlife reserve in the northern town of Whangārei shut down over the past weekend.

In a online post, the establishment indicated that its proprietor had put the property up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “after a tough decision made by the landowner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The team and I are heartbroken,” commented the facility’s manager.

“Although it might possibly continue as a wildlife attraction under new ownership, such a outcome would require not only the purchase of the property but substantial monetary input,” the manager explained.

In a recent update, the facility confirmed that two of its lions had been put down.

“We had to part with Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were untreatable and were worsening. These choices were made with utmost compassion and thoughtfulness,” the director stated.

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

“A few individuals have expressed interest in purchasing the establishment and providing for the lions. Although the timeframe is limited and the situation remain unresolved, we are doing our utmost to explore this option and hold onto hope.”

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

The park’s announcements were filled with messages from members of the public, requesting a reprieve for the remaining lions, while ex-employees expressed desire that the sanctuary would review the decision to end their lives.

The manager noted that amid the supportive comments and messages of sorrow, she had also encountered menacing and abusive comments.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she said. “We acknowledge that emotions are high, but we appeal for consideration and courtesy as we navigate this tragic circumstance.”

The property owner refused to comment.

The regulatory body stated that the decision to euthanise the big cats lay with the landowners, and that it had been advised of the intention.

A senior official explained that euthanasia had to be performed humanely, and in compliance with animal welfare law.

“An compliance official will be onsite to confirm this is done properly,” the representative said. “We are confident that the establishment continues to fulfill its wildlife protection and enclosure responsibilities.”

The sanctuary achieved minor fame in the early 2000s when it appeared on a TV program about a famous animal trainer.

However, it quickly encountered difficulties. In 2009, a staff member was fatally attacked by a white tiger while performing maintenance.

The facility frequently experienced economic issues and staffing problems, and changed ownership on several occasions. In 2014, the government agency instructed the establishment to shut down until the enclosures were improved. It restarted in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.