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A financially troubled wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was obliged to euthanise two of its older lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still unclear, following economic struggles.

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

In a social media post, the facility clarified that its owner had listed the land up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “after a tough decision made by the landowner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The employees and I are devastated,” stated the facility’s manager.

“While it could potentially continue as a lion park under fresh proprietors, such a future would require not only the acquisition of the land but considerable capital investment,” the director added.

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

“We recently farewelled two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were incurable and were worsening. These choices were made with profound consideration and deliberation,” the director said.

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

“A handful of parties have indicated willingness in buying the establishment and continuing to care for the lions. While the deadline is short and the conditions remain uncertain, we are doing all we can to explore this option and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “viable or humane option” due to their advanced age, the number of cats involved, and their demanding care.

The facility’s posts were filled with responses from the community, begging for a second chance for the surviving lions, while past workers expressed desire that the park would rethink the course of action to put them down.

The operator mentioned that among the sympathetic words and messages of sorrow, she had also received hostile and offensive comments.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she remarked. “We acknowledge that emotions are high, but we ask for compassion and respect as we navigate this tragic circumstance.”

The landowner declined to comment.

The government department stated that the decision to put down the lions rested with the owners, and that it had been advised of the plan.

A deputy director stated that putting down had to be performed compassionately, and in accordance with animal welfare law.

“An compliance official will be on location to confirm this is done properly,” the spokesperson noted. “We are confident that the establishment continues to fulfill its animal care and containment requirements.”

The facility gained minor fame in the early part of the century when it was shown on a broadcast series about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it rapidly faced challenges. In 2009, a handler was killed by a white tiger while carrying out duties.

The facility frequently ran into financial trouble and staffing problems, and changed ownership multiple times. In 2014, the government agency instructed the park to shut down until the enclosures were modernized. It reopened in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.