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A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has revealed it was obliged to euthanise two of its older lions, with the outcome of the remaining five lions still unclear, following economic struggles.

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

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

“There were no real options left. The employees and I are heartbroken,” stated the facility’s manager.

“Although it might potentially continue as a wildlife attraction under new ownership, such a future would require not only the purchase of the land but considerable capital investment,” the operator explained.

In a recent announcement, the park announced that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were not treatable and were declining. These decisions were made with deep care and deliberation,” the manager remarked.

However, there was a “flicker of optimism” for the other five lions, which the park had earlier indicated would be put down.

“A handful of parties have expressed interest in purchasing the facility and maintaining care for the lions. While the deadline is short and the circumstances remain unresolved, we are doing all we can to explore this opportunity and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “feasible or ethical alternative” due to their elderly status, the group size involved, and their complex needs.

The sanctuary’s updates were filled with messages from members of the public, begging for a second chance for the remaining lions, while former staff members expressed hope that the park would reconsider the course of action to euthanise them.

The director stated that amid the supportive comments and messages of sorrow, she had also been subjected to menacing and abusive remarks.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she commented. “We understand that feelings are intense, but we request kindness and courtesy as we navigate this heartbreaking situation.”

The property owner declined to comment.

The government department stated that the decision to put down the big cats rested with the proprietors, and that it had been informed of the plan.

A senior official stated that putting down had to be conducted ethically, and in line with animal protection legislation.

“An compliance official will be present to verify this is done correctly,” the representative stated. “We are confident that the facility continues to fulfill its animal care and security responsibilities.”

The facility gained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it was shown on a television show about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it quickly ran into problems. In 2009, a staff member was fatally attacked by a big cat while cleaning its enclosure.

The sanctuary frequently experienced monetary difficulties and employment issues, and had multiple owners on several occasions. In 2014, the regulatory body directed the establishment to shut down until the habitats were modernized. It restarted in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.