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

The privately owned wildlife park in the northern city of Whangārei closed its doors over the weekend.

In a social media post, the facility explained 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 “following a tough decision made by the property owner.”

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

“Although it might potentially continue as a big cat facility under new ownership, such a outcome would require not only the purchase of the land but substantial financial backing,” the manager noted.

In a later announcement, the sanctuary confirmed that two of its lions had been put down.

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had significant medical issues that were untreatable and were declining. These choices were made with profound consideration and deliberation,” the director stated.

However, there was a “glimmer of hope” for the remaining five lions, which the facility had previously indicated would be put down.

“A handful of parties have shown interest in acquiring the property and continuing to care for the lions. Even though the deadline is tight and the circumstances remain unclear, we are doing everything we can to explore this possibility and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “feasible or ethical alternative” due to their elderly status, the group size involved, and their specialized requirements.

The sanctuary’s updates were flooded with messages from concerned citizens, requesting a second chance for the surviving lions, while former staff members expressed hope that the facility would rethink the course of action to end their lives.

The director stated that amid the supportive comments and words of condolence, she had also received hostile and offensive messages.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she remarked. “We acknowledge that emotions are high, but we request kindness and respect as we handle this tragic circumstance.”

The proprietor chose not to respond.

The regulatory body indicated that the decision to euthanise the big cats rested with the owners, and that it had been informed of the intention.

A deputy director commented that putting down had to be performed humanely, and in compliance with animal protection legislation.

“An regulatory officer will be onsite to verify this is done correctly,” the official noted. “We are satisfied that the establishment continues to fulfill its animal care and enclosure responsibilities.”

The facility attained minor fame in the early part of the century when it appeared on a television show about a celebrity big cat handler.

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

The sanctuary repeatedly ran into monetary difficulties and workforce challenges, and had multiple owners repeatedly. In 2014, the regulatory body directed the establishment to close until the habitats were improved. It reopened in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.