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A financially troubled wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has revealed it was obliged to euthanise two of its senior lions, with the destiny of the other five lions still undecided, following monetary problems.

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

In a social media post, the establishment explained that its proprietor had put the property up for sale in August, and the seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a difficult decision made by the property owner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The staff and I are deeply saddened,” stated the facility’s manager.

“Even though it may potentially continue as a big cat facility under different management, such a scenario would require not only the acquisition of the property but substantial financial backing,” the manager noted.

In a later statement, the facility confirmed that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We recently farewelled Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had grave illnesses that were untreatable and were worsening. These choices were made with utmost compassion and thoughtfulness,” the director stated.

However, there was a “flicker of optimism” for the other five lions, which the sanctuary had previously indicated would be humanely killed.

“A few individuals have indicated willingness in buying the establishment and continuing to care for the lions. Even though the timeframe is tight and the circumstances remain uncertain, we are doing all we can to pursue this option and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “feasible or compassionate alternative” due to their advanced age, the number of cats involved, and their specialized requirements.

The sanctuary’s updates were filled with comments from members of the public, begging for a reprieve for the other big cats, while former staff members expressed desire that the facility would review the decision to put them down.

The director noted that among the supportive comments and messages of sorrow, she had also encountered hostile and offensive messages.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she remarked. “We understand that passions are strong, but we ask for compassion and respect as we navigate this tragic situation.”

The property owner refused to comment.

The ministry for primary industries clarified that the choice to euthanise the lions was the responsibility of the owners, and that it had been notified of the plan.

A high-ranking officer stated that putting down had to be carried out compassionately, and in compliance with wildlife regulations.

“An regulatory officer will be onsite to ensure this is done appropriately,” the official noted. “We are satisfied that the operation continues to satisfy its animal welfare and security requirements.”

The facility attained minor fame in the early part of the century when it appeared on a broadcast series about a famous animal trainer.

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

The facility repeatedly ran into financial trouble and workforce challenges, and had multiple owners repeatedly. In 2014, the regulatory body ordered the park to close until the habitats were upgraded. It restarted in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.