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A struggling wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has stated it was obliged to put down two of its older lions, with the outcome of the remaining five lions still uncertain, following financial difficulties.

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

In a online announcement, 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 put down “after a tough decision made by the landowner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The employees and I are heartbroken,” said the sanctuary’s operator.

“Even though it may potentially continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a outcome would require not only the purchase of the property but substantial monetary input,” the operator added.

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

“We recently farewelled two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were untreatable and were declining. These choices were made with profound consideration and deliberation,” the director remarked.

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

“A few individuals have expressed interest in purchasing the property and maintaining care for the lions. Although the window is limited and the circumstances remain unresolved, we are doing everything we can to investigate this option and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “viable or ethical option” due to their age, the number of cats involved, and their demanding care.

The facility’s posts were filled with messages from the community, pleading for a second chance for the surviving lions, while past workers expressed desire that the facility would review the plan to euthanise them.

The operator stated that alongside the kind messages and expressions of sympathy, she had also encountered hostile and abusive messages.

“This is deeply distressing,” she said. “We recognize that passions are strong, but we request compassion and courtesy as we handle this heartbreaking situation.”

The landowner chose not to respond.

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

A senior official commented that putting down had to be conducted compassionately, and in line with wildlife regulations.

“An regulatory officer will be onsite to ensure this is done appropriately,” the representative stated. “We are confident that the establishment continues to fulfill its animal welfare and enclosure responsibilities.”

The facility attained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it appeared on a TV program about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it rapidly ran into problems. In 2009, a handler was fatally attacked by a white tiger while performing maintenance.

The park often ran into monetary difficulties and employment issues, and changed ownership on several occasions. In 2014, the government agency directed the establishment to shut down until the habitats were modernized. It resumed operations in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.