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A financially troubled wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was forced to put down two of its senior lions, with the destiny of the other five lions still undecided, following monetary problems.

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

In a online announcement, the facility clarified 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 “following a difficult decision made by the property owner.”

“There were no real options left. The team and I are devastated,” said the park’s director.

“Although it might possibly continue as a wildlife attraction under fresh proprietors, such a outcome would require not only the acquisition of the land but considerable monetary input,” the manager explained.

In a later statement, the park confirmed that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We recently farewelled two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were not treatable and were worsening. These actions were made with utmost compassion and thoughtfulness,” the manager stated.

However, there was a “flicker of optimism” for the other five lions, which the facility had previously indicated would be humanely killed.

“A few individuals have expressed interest in buying the establishment and maintaining care for the lions. Although the deadline is short and the situation remain uncertain, we are doing our utmost to pursue this opportunity and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “viable or ethical option” due to their elderly status, the group size involved, and their complex needs.

The facility’s posts were filled with comments from the community, requesting a reprieve for the remaining lions, while past workers expressed desire that the park would rethink the plan to put them down.

The manager noted that among the sympathetic words and expressions of sympathy, she had also encountered hostile and abusive messages.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she remarked. “We recognize that emotions are high, but we request compassion and respect as we handle this heartbreaking situation.”

The property owner chose not to respond.

The regulatory body indicated that the determination to humanely kill the cats rested with the owners, and that it had been notified of the intention.

A high-ranking officer commented that putting down had to be performed ethically, and in compliance with wildlife regulations.

“An animal welfare inspector will be on location to ensure this is done properly,” the spokesperson noted. “We are assured that the establishment continues to fulfill its animal care and containment obligations.”

The sanctuary gained a degree of notoriety in the early part of the century when it featured on a television show about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it rapidly faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was mauled to death by a white tiger while performing maintenance.

The park frequently experienced economic issues and employment issues, and switched proprietors on several occasions. In 2014, the government agency instructed the park to close until the enclosures were modernized. It restarted in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.