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A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has revealed it was forced to put down two of its elderly lions, with the outcome of the remaining five lions still uncertain, following economic struggles.

The privately owned wildlife park in the northern town of Whangārei ceased operations over the weekend.

In a social media post, the establishment indicated that its proprietor had listed the land up for sale in August, and the seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a tough decision made by the property owner.”

“There were no real options left. The team and I are heartbroken,” commented the sanctuary’s operator.

“While it could possibly continue as a wildlife attraction under new ownership, such a scenario would require not only the acquisition of the land but significant monetary input,” the director explained.

In a subsequent statement, the facility verified that two of its lions had been humanely killed.

“Yesterday we said goodbye Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were incurable and were declining. These actions were made with utmost compassion and thoughtfulness,” the manager remarked.

However, there was a “flicker of optimism” for the remaining five lions, which the sanctuary had earlier indicated would be euthanised.

“A few individuals have expressed interest in acquiring the facility and maintaining care for the lions. While the timeframe is short and the circumstances remain unresolved, we are doing our utmost to investigate this possibility and maintain optimism.”

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

The park’s announcements were flooded with comments from members of the public, requesting a reprieve for the other big cats, while ex-employees expressed optimism that the facility would rethink the course of action to end their lives.

The operator mentioned that amid the supportive comments and words of condolence, she had also been subjected to hostile and offensive messages.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she remarked. “We understand that emotions are high, but we request kindness and courtesy as we navigate this heartbreaking circumstance.”

The proprietor refused to comment.

The ministry for primary industries clarified that the decision to put down the cats lay with the landowners, and that it had been informed of the intention.

A senior official commented that humane killing had to be conducted humanely, and in accordance with animal protection legislation.

“An compliance official will be on location to verify this is done properly,” the representative said. “We are satisfied that the facility continues to fulfill its animal welfare and security responsibilities.”

The facility achieved a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it was shown on a TV program about a famous animal trainer.

However, it quickly ran into problems. In 2009, a staff member was fatally attacked by a big cat while carrying out duties.

The facility frequently experienced financial trouble and workforce challenges, and switched proprietors on several occasions. In 2014, the government agency ordered the establishment to shut down until the enclosures were modernized. It restarted in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.