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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has announced it was forced to euthanise two of its senior lions, with the fate of the other five lions still unclear, following financial difficulties.

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

In a online update, the establishment indicated that its proprietor had listed the land up for sale in August, and the seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “following a challenging decision made by the landowner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The staff and I are deeply saddened,” said the sanctuary’s operator.

“Although it might potentially continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a scenario would require not only the purchase of the property but substantial monetary input,” the director noted.

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

“We recently farewelled Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had grave illnesses that were untreatable and were worsening. These decisions were made with profound consideration and deliberation,” the director stated.

However, there was a “glimmer of hope” for the other five lions, which the park had previously indicated would be put down.

“A handful of parties have expressed interest in buying the establishment and continuing to care for the lions. While the window is short and the situation remain uncertain, we are doing our utmost to pursue this opportunity and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “practical or humane option” due to their advanced age, the number of cats involved, and their demanding care.

The park’s announcements were filled with messages from concerned citizens, requesting a stay of execution for the remaining lions, while past workers expressed hope that the sanctuary would rethink the decision to put them down.

The operator stated that among the sympathetic words and messages of sorrow, she had also been subjected to threatening and abusive messages.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she commented. “We understand that feelings are intense, but we appeal for compassion and decency as we handle this devastating predicament.”

The landowner chose not to respond.

The regulatory body stated that the determination to put down the cats lay with the owners, and that it had been advised of the intention.

A high-ranking officer stated that humane killing had to be conducted ethically, and in accordance with wildlife regulations.

“An regulatory officer will be present to ensure this is done properly,” the representative said. “We are satisfied that the establishment continues to meet its animal welfare and security obligations.”

The park attained some recognition in the early part of the century when it appeared on a broadcast series about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it quickly encountered difficulties. In 2009, a staff member was mauled to death by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The sanctuary frequently experienced financial trouble and employment issues, and had multiple owners on several occasions. In 2014, the government agency ordered the facility to cease operations until the habitats were improved. It restarted in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.