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A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has announced it was obliged to put down two of its elderly lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still uncertain, following economic struggles.

The privately owned wildlife park in the northern city of Whangārei shut down over the past weekend.

In a social media post, the establishment clarified that its proprietor had put the property up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “after a tough decision made by the property owner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The team and I are devastated,” stated the sanctuary’s operator.

“Although it might potentially continue as a lion park under new ownership, such a scenario would require not only the acquisition of the land but significant monetary input,” the director noted.

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

“Yesterday we said goodbye two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were incurable and were worsening. These decisions were made with profound consideration and deliberation,” the manager stated.

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

“A few individuals have shown interest in buying the establishment and providing for the lions. While the timeframe is limited and the situation remain unresolved, we are doing all we can to pursue this opportunity and hold onto hope.”

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

The facility’s posts were overwhelmed by comments from concerned citizens, requesting a stay of execution for the surviving lions, while former staff members expressed hope that the park would rethink the course of action to put them down.

The operator mentioned that among the supportive comments and messages of sorrow, she had also been subjected to threatening and insulting remarks.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she commented. “We recognize that passions are strong, but we request compassion and courtesy as we manage this devastating situation.”

The proprietor declined to comment.

The ministry for primary industries clarified that the determination to put down the big cats lay with the owners, and that it had been notified of the plan.

A deputy director commented that putting down had to be performed compassionately, and in accordance with animal welfare law.

“An regulatory officer will be present to confirm this is done appropriately,” the representative said. “We are assured that the facility continues to satisfy its animal care and enclosure obligations.”

The park achieved a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it featured on a television show about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it quickly faced challenges. In 2009, a handler was killed by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The facility repeatedly experienced economic issues and staffing problems, and changed ownership multiple times. In 2014, the regulatory body ordered the establishment to cease operations until the habitats were modernized. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.