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A struggling wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has announced it was obliged to humanely kill two of its elderly lions, with the destiny of the remaining five lions still uncertain, following monetary problems.

The private wildlife sanctuary in the northern city of Whangārei closed its doors over the past weekend.

In a online update, the facility clarified that its owner had listed the land up for sale in August, and the seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “after a tough decision made by the landowner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The team and I are deeply saddened,” said the facility’s manager.

“Although it might possibly continue as a lion park under fresh proprietors, such a outcome would require not only the acquisition of the property but significant financial backing,” the operator added.

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

“Yesterday we said goodbye Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were incurable and were worsening. These decisions were made with deep care and thoughtfulness,” the manager remarked.

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

“A few individuals have expressed interest in acquiring the property and continuing to care for the lions. Even though the deadline is limited and the conditions remain unclear, we are doing all we can to explore this opportunity and keep hope alive.”

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

The sanctuary’s updates were overwhelmed by responses from the community, requesting a stay of execution for the remaining lions, while former staff members expressed optimism that the park would reconsider the decision to put them down.

The manager mentioned that among the sympathetic words and messages of sorrow, she had also received menacing and abusive remarks.

“This is deeply distressing,” she said. “We recognize that emotions are high, but we request compassion and courtesy as we handle this devastating predicament.”

The property owner declined to comment.

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

A senior official explained that putting down had to be carried out ethically, and in compliance with wildlife regulations.

“An regulatory officer will be on location to confirm this is done appropriately,” the official noted. “We are satisfied that the establishment continues to satisfy its animal welfare and containment obligations.”

The facility achieved a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it featured on a television show about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it quickly encountered difficulties. In 2009, a staff member was mauled to death by a white tiger while carrying out duties.

The sanctuary frequently encountered economic issues and staffing problems, and switched proprietors on several occasions. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries ordered the establishment to cease operations until the enclosures were modernized. It restarted in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.