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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has announced it was forced to humanely kill two of its senior lions, with the outcome of the remaining five lions still undecided, following financial difficulties.

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

In a online announcement, the establishment clarified 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 put down “following a challenging decision made by the property owner.”

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

“Although it might possibly continue as a lion park under new ownership, such a future would require not only the purchase of the property but substantial financial backing,” the manager explained.

In a recent statement, the park verified that two of its lions had been put down.

“Yesterday we said goodbye Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had significant medical issues that were untreatable and were worsening. These actions were made with deep care and thoughtfulness,” the manager remarked.

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

“A handful of parties have shown interest in acquiring the facility and maintaining care for the lions. Although the window is tight and the conditions remain uncertain, 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 ethical option” due to their advanced age, the quantity of animals involved, and their complex needs.

The park’s announcements were flooded with responses from concerned citizens, pleading for a reprieve for the other big cats, while ex-employees expressed hope that the park would review the course of action to end their lives.

The manager mentioned that alongside the supportive comments and words of condolence, she had also received threatening and insulting comments.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she remarked. “We acknowledge that emotions are high, but we request consideration and courtesy as we navigate this devastating predicament.”

The proprietor refused to comment.

The ministry for primary industries clarified that the choice to humanely kill the lions lay with the proprietors, and that it had been notified of the course of action.

A senior official explained that humane killing had to be performed humanely, and in line with wildlife regulations.

“An compliance official will be onsite to ensure this is done appropriately,” the official stated. “We are satisfied that the facility continues to fulfill its animal care and containment requirements.”

The facility gained some recognition in the early 2000s when it featured on a television show about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it rapidly encountered difficulties. In 2009, a keeper was fatally attacked by a big cat while cleaning its enclosure.

The sanctuary repeatedly ran into monetary difficulties and staffing problems, and switched proprietors on several occasions. In 2014, the government agency ordered the park to cease operations until the facilities were modernized. It reopened in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.