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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 destiny of the remaining five lions still unclear, following monetary problems.

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

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

“All possibilities were exhausted. The team and I are heartbroken,” said the park’s director.

“Although it might possibly continue as a big cat facility under new ownership, such a future would require not only the purchase of the property but considerable monetary input,” the operator noted.

In a subsequent update, the park confirmed that two of its lions had been humanely killed.

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had significant medical issues that were untreatable and were declining. These decisions were made with deep care and deliberation,” the director said.

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

“A handful of parties have indicated willingness in acquiring the property and continuing to care for the lions. Although the deadline is limited and the situation remain uncertain, we are doing all we can to explore this possibility and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “practical or compassionate choice” due to their advanced age, the group size involved, and their demanding care.

The park’s announcements were flooded with responses from members of the public, requesting a reprieve for the remaining lions, while former staff members expressed desire that the sanctuary would review the plan to put them down.

The director noted that among the sympathetic words and expressions of sympathy, she had also received menacing and insulting messages.

“This is deeply distressing,” she commented. “We recognize that passions are strong, but we request kindness and courtesy as we manage this devastating predicament.”

The proprietor declined to comment.

The regulatory body indicated that the choice to euthanise the cats rested with the proprietors, and that it had been notified of the plan.

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

“An animal welfare inspector will be onsite to confirm this is done properly,” the representative noted. “We are assured that the operation continues to satisfy its animal care and containment responsibilities.”

The sanctuary attained minor fame in the early 2000s when it featured on a television show about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it soon faced challenges. In 2009, a handler was fatally attacked by a white tiger while carrying out duties.

The facility frequently ran into financial trouble and workforce challenges, and changed ownership on several occasions. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries ordered the park to shut down until the enclosures were modernized. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.