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A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has revealed it was forced to euthanise two of its senior lions, with the destiny of the other five lions still unclear, following financial difficulties.

The private wildlife park in the northern town of Whangārei ceased operations over the past weekend.

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

“There were no real options left. The team and I are devastated,” said the park’s director.

“While it could potentially continue as a big cat facility under new ownership, such a outcome would require not only the acquisition of the property but considerable monetary input,” the director added.

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

“Yesterday we said goodbye Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were untreatable and were worsening. These actions were made with deep care and thoughtfulness,” the director said.

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

“A handful of parties have shown interest in acquiring the establishment and continuing to care for the lions. While the deadline is short and the conditions remain unresolved, we are doing everything we can to pursue this opportunity and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “practical or compassionate option” due to their advanced age, the group size involved, and their specialized requirements.

The park’s announcements were flooded with responses from concerned citizens, requesting a stay of execution for the other big cats, while ex-employees expressed desire that the park would rethink the decision to put them down.

The manager mentioned that amid the sympathetic words and words of condolence, she had also received threatening and offensive comments.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she remarked. “We acknowledge that feelings are intense, but we request consideration and decency as we manage this devastating predicament.”

The proprietor chose not to respond.

The regulatory body indicated that the determination to put down the big cats lay with the owners, and that it had been informed of the intention.

A deputy director explained that putting down had to be performed ethically, and in accordance with wildlife regulations.

“An regulatory officer will be on location to ensure this is done appropriately,” the representative said. “We are assured that the establishment continues to satisfy its animal welfare and security requirements.”

The facility gained minor fame in the early part of the century when it featured on a television show about a famous animal trainer.

However, it quickly ran into problems. In 2009, a staff member was killed by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The sanctuary repeatedly ran into financial trouble and staffing problems, and switched proprietors on several occasions. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries instructed the establishment to cease operations until the enclosures were improved. It reopened in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.