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A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has announced it was forced to put down two of its older lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still undecided, following monetary problems.

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

In a online update, the facility explained 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 euthanised “following a tough decision made by the property owner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The employees and I are devastated,” stated the sanctuary’s operator.

“Even though it may possibly continue as a lion park under different management, such a scenario would require not only the purchase of the land but significant monetary input,” the director added.

In a later statement, the park announced that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“Yesterday we said goodbye 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 remarked.

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

“A few individuals have shown interest in buying the establishment and continuing to care for the lions. While the deadline is short and the circumstances remain unresolved, we are doing our utmost to explore this possibility and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “viable or compassionate option” due to their advanced age, the number of cats involved, and their specialized requirements.

The facility’s posts were filled with messages from members of the public, begging for a reprieve for the surviving lions, while past workers expressed optimism that the park would review the decision to put them down.

The director noted that alongside the sympathetic words and expressions of sympathy, she had also encountered hostile and offensive comments.

“This is deeply distressing,” she said. “We understand that passions are strong, but we appeal for consideration and decency as we navigate this heartbreaking predicament.”

The landowner refused to comment.

The regulatory body indicated that the choice to put down the lions lay with the proprietors, and that it had been informed of the intention.

A deputy director commented that euthanasia had to be carried out ethically, and in accordance with animal welfare law.

“An compliance official will be present to ensure this is done properly,” the official stated. “We are satisfied that the establishment continues to fulfill its animal welfare and enclosure responsibilities.”

The park achieved a degree of notoriety in the early part of the century when it was shown on a TV program about a famous animal trainer.

However, it quickly faced challenges. In 2009, a keeper was fatally attacked by a white tiger while performing maintenance.

The sanctuary frequently encountered financial trouble and employment issues, and had multiple owners on several occasions. In 2014, the regulatory body instructed the establishment to cease operations until the enclosures were modernized. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.