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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was obliged to euthanise two of its elderly lions, with the outcome of the remaining five lions still uncertain, following economic struggles.

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

In a social media update, the establishment clarified that its owner had put the property up for sale in August, and the seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “after a difficult decision made by the landowner.”

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

“While it could potentially continue as a lion park under different management, such a future would require not only the purchase of the property but significant capital investment,” the operator added.

In a subsequent update, the park verified that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We had to part with Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had grave illnesses that were incurable and were deteriorating. These actions were made with utmost compassion and thoughtfulness,” the director said.

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

“A handful of parties have expressed interest in acquiring the property and continuing to care for the lions. Even though the window is tight and the circumstances remain unresolved, we are doing everything we can to explore this possibility and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “viable or ethical option” due to their advanced age, the quantity of animals involved, and their complex needs.

The sanctuary’s updates were flooded with messages from members of the public, pleading for a second chance for the surviving lions, while past workers expressed optimism that the facility would reconsider the decision to put them down.

The operator stated that amid the sympathetic words and messages of sorrow, she had also encountered menacing and abusive messages.

“This is deeply distressing,” she said. “We acknowledge that passions are strong, but we ask for compassion and courtesy as we manage this tragic predicament.”

The proprietor chose not to respond.

The regulatory body stated that the decision to put down the big cats rested with the owners, and that it had been notified of the plan.

A senior official explained that humane killing had to be conducted compassionately, and in accordance with wildlife regulations.

“An regulatory officer will be on location to verify this is done properly,” the official noted. “We are assured that the facility continues to meet its animal care and enclosure obligations.”

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

However, it rapidly encountered difficulties. In 2009, a handler was mauled to death by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The sanctuary frequently encountered monetary difficulties and employment issues, and changed ownership repeatedly. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries ordered the establishment to cease operations until the habitats were modernized. It restarted in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.