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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has revealed it was compelled to euthanise two of its older lions, with the destiny of the remaining five lions still undecided, following monetary problems.

The private wildlife reserve in the northern town of Whangārei shut down over the weekend.

In a social media announcement, the facility indicated that its proprietor had put the property up for sale in August, and the seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “after a tough decision made by the landowner.”

“There were no real options left. The staff and I are deeply saddened,” commented the park’s director.

“Although it might potentially continue as a wildlife attraction under new ownership, such a outcome would require not only the purchase of the land but significant monetary input,” the operator explained.

In a recent announcement, the facility confirmed that two of its lions had been put down.

“We recently farewelled Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had grave illnesses that were untreatable and were declining. These choices were made with profound consideration and thoughtfulness,” the manager said.

However, there was a “ray of hope” for the other five lions, which the facility had earlier indicated would be humanely killed.

“A few individuals have shown interest in buying the facility and providing for the lions. While the deadline is tight and the situation remain unresolved, we are doing all we can to pursue this possibility and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “feasible or ethical alternative” due to their age, the number of cats involved, and their complex needs.

The park’s announcements were flooded with comments from concerned citizens, pleading for a stay of execution for the other big cats, while ex-employees expressed hope that the park would reconsider the decision to euthanise them.

The manager mentioned that alongside the sympathetic words and expressions of sympathy, she had also been subjected to hostile and offensive comments.

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

The proprietor refused to comment.

The regulatory body indicated that the decision to euthanise the lions was the responsibility of the proprietors, and that it had been informed of the intention.

A high-ranking officer commented that euthanasia had to be conducted humanely, and in accordance with wildlife regulations.

“An compliance official will be on location to verify this is done appropriately,” the official said. “We are confident that the establishment continues to satisfy its animal care and containment responsibilities.”

The sanctuary achieved a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it featured on a broadcast series about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it soon faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was fatally attacked by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The park frequently encountered economic issues and employment issues, and switched proprietors repeatedly. In 2014, the government agency directed the facility to close until the enclosures were upgraded. It resumed operations in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.