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A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has announced it was compelled to humanely kill two of its elderly lions, with the fate of the other five lions still undecided, following financial difficulties.

The private wildlife sanctuary in the northern city of Whangārei shut down over the weekend.

In a social media post, the establishment explained that its owner had put the property up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “after a challenging decision made by the property owner.”

“There were no real options left. The employees and I are deeply saddened,” stated the sanctuary’s operator.

“While it could possibly continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a scenario would require not only the acquisition of the property but considerable monetary input,” the director added.

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

“We recently farewelled two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were untreatable and were declining. These choices were made with profound consideration and thoughtfulness,” the manager stated.

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

“A several interested parties have indicated willingness in buying the facility and maintaining care for the lions. Even though the deadline is short and the circumstances remain unresolved, we are doing our utmost to explore this opportunity and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “feasible or ethical option” due to their elderly status, the number of cats involved, and their complex needs.

The facility’s posts were flooded with messages from concerned citizens, requesting a reprieve for the other big cats, while ex-employees expressed desire that the sanctuary would reconsider the course of action to end their lives.

The operator noted that among the sympathetic words and messages of sorrow, she had also been subjected to hostile and offensive comments.

“This is deeply distressing,” she remarked. “We recognize that feelings are intense, but we request kindness and respect as we manage this heartbreaking circumstance.”

The proprietor declined to comment.

The regulatory body clarified that the determination to euthanise the lions 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 conducted ethically, and in compliance with animal welfare law.

“An compliance official will be present to verify this is done appropriately,” the spokesperson said. “We are satisfied that the facility continues to fulfill its wildlife protection and security responsibilities.”

The facility achieved a degree of notoriety in the early part of the century when it featured on a television show about a famous animal trainer.

However, it quickly ran into problems. In 2009, a handler was killed by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The facility frequently encountered economic issues and staffing problems, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the government agency ordered the facility to cease operations until the facilities were modernized. It reopened in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.