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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has announced it was compelled to euthanise two of its elderly lions, with the destiny of the other five lions still uncertain, following economic struggles.

The privately owned wildlife sanctuary in the northern town of Whangārei shut down over the weekend.

In a social media announcement, the establishment explained that its owner had listed the land up for sale in August, and the seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “following a tough decision made by the landowner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The staff and I are heartbroken,” said the sanctuary’s operator.

“Even though it may possibly continue as a wildlife attraction under different management, such a scenario would require not only the purchase of the property but considerable financial backing,” the director added.

In a subsequent update, the park announced that two of its lions had been put down.

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were incurable and were deteriorating. These decisions were made with deep care and consideration,” the manager said.

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

“A several interested parties have shown interest in acquiring the property and continuing to care for the lions. Although the window is short and the situation remain unclear, we are doing all we can to explore this possibility and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “feasible or ethical alternative” due to their advanced age, the group size involved, and their demanding care.

The sanctuary’s updates were overwhelmed by responses from concerned citizens, begging for a stay of execution for the surviving lions, while former staff members expressed optimism that the park would reconsider the course of action to end their lives.

The manager mentioned that amid the sympathetic words and messages of sorrow, she had also encountered menacing and offensive messages.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she remarked. “We understand that feelings are intense, but we ask for compassion and courtesy as we navigate this heartbreaking circumstance.”

The property owner refused to comment.

The ministry for primary industries clarified that the choice to humanely kill the cats was the responsibility of the owners, and that it had been informed of the plan.

A high-ranking officer explained that humane killing had to be carried out ethically, and in line with animal protection legislation.

“An regulatory officer will be present to ensure this is done correctly,” the spokesperson stated. “We are assured that the establishment continues to satisfy its animal care and containment requirements.”

The park gained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it appeared on a broadcast series about a famous animal trainer.

However, it quickly encountered difficulties. In 2009, a staff member was killed by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The sanctuary often experienced economic issues and workforce challenges, and had multiple owners repeatedly. In 2014, the government agency directed the facility to close until the enclosures were modernized. It restarted in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.