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A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has announced it was obliged to humanely kill two of its older lions, with the outcome of the remaining five lions still uncertain, following monetary problems.

The private wildlife park in the northern town of Whangārei closed its doors over the weekend.

In a online announcement, the establishment indicated that its proprietor had put the property up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a challenging decision made by the landowner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The staff and I are deeply saddened,” commented the park’s director.

“Even though it may potentially continue as a big cat facility under new ownership, such a scenario would require not only the acquisition of the property but considerable financial backing,” the operator noted.

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

“We had to part with Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were not treatable and were deteriorating. These decisions were made with deep care and thoughtfulness,” the operator said.

However, there was a “flicker of optimism” for the remaining five lions, which the sanctuary had earlier indicated would be euthanised.

“A handful of parties have indicated willingness in purchasing the facility and maintaining care for the lions. While the deadline is tight and the conditions remain uncertain, we are doing our utmost to investigate this possibility and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “feasible or compassionate option” due to their elderly status, the group size involved, and their specialized requirements.

The facility’s posts were overwhelmed by responses from concerned citizens, pleading for a reprieve for the remaining lions, while former staff members expressed optimism that the park would rethink the plan to put them down.

The operator mentioned that alongside the sympathetic words and words of condolence, she had also encountered threatening and offensive comments.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she said. “We acknowledge that passions are strong, but we ask for consideration and courtesy as we manage this devastating situation.”

The proprietor declined to comment.

The government department clarified that the choice to put down the big cats lay with the landowners, and that it had been informed of the intention.

A senior official stated that humane killing had to be conducted humanely, and in line with animal welfare law.

“An regulatory officer will be onsite to ensure this is done properly,” the spokesperson stated. “We are confident that the operation continues to meet its animal care and enclosure obligations.”

The sanctuary achieved minor fame in the early 2000s when it was shown on a broadcast series about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it quickly ran into problems. In 2009, a handler was killed by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The facility repeatedly encountered monetary difficulties and staffing problems, and changed ownership repeatedly. In 2014, the government agency directed the facility to close until the facilities were modernized. It resumed operations in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.