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A financially troubled wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has stated it was forced to euthanise two of its elderly lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still unclear, following financial difficulties.

The private wildlife sanctuary in the northern city of Whangārei ceased operations over the past weekend.

In a social media post, the establishment indicated that its owner had put the property up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a difficult decision made by the property owner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The staff and I are devastated,” stated the facility’s manager.

“While it could possibly continue as a wildlife attraction under different management, such a outcome would require not only the purchase of the property but significant financial backing,” the manager explained.

In a recent announcement, the facility announced that two of its lions had been humanely killed.

“We had to part with Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had grave illnesses that were incurable and were worsening. These actions were made with deep care and consideration,” the director stated.

However, there was a “flicker of optimism” for the remaining five lions, which the park had previously indicated would be put down.

“A few individuals have indicated willingness in buying the property and providing for the lions. While the window is short and the situation remain unresolved, we are doing everything we can to explore this possibility and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “feasible or humane choice” due to their age, the group size involved, and their specialized requirements.

The facility’s posts were overwhelmed by comments from the community, begging for a second chance for the surviving lions, while former staff members expressed hope that the facility would rethink the course of action to put them down.

The director stated that among the sympathetic words and words of condolence, she had also encountered hostile and abusive comments.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she remarked. “We understand that emotions are high, but we ask for consideration and decency as we handle this tragic situation.”

The property owner refused to comment.

The ministry for primary industries stated that the choice to put down the big cats was the responsibility of the owners, and that it had been informed of the course of action.

A high-ranking officer commented that euthanasia had to be performed compassionately, and in accordance with animal protection legislation.

“An compliance official will be onsite to ensure this is done correctly,” the spokesperson said. “We are confident that the operation continues to meet its animal care and security obligations.”

The facility achieved some recognition in the early 2000s when it appeared on a TV program about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it rapidly faced challenges. In 2009, a handler was killed by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The park often experienced monetary difficulties and workforce challenges, and changed ownership repeatedly. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries ordered the park to close until the habitats were upgraded. It reopened in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.