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A struggling wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has stated it was forced to humanely kill two of its older lions, with the outcome of the remaining five lions still uncertain, following monetary problems.

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

In a social media post, the establishment explained that its owner had put the property up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a challenging decision made by the landowner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The staff and I are deeply saddened,” said the sanctuary’s operator.

“While it could possibly continue as a lion park under new ownership, such a scenario would require not only the acquisition of the land but considerable monetary input,” the operator explained.

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

“We recently farewelled two of our lions, both of whom had significant medical issues that were not treatable and were declining. These decisions were made with utmost compassion and deliberation,” the operator said.

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

“A handful of parties have indicated willingness in acquiring the establishment and providing for the lions. Even though the window is short and the circumstances remain unclear, we are doing everything we can to pursue this opportunity and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “viable or compassionate option” due to their elderly status, the number of cats involved, and their specialized requirements.

The park’s announcements were flooded with responses from concerned citizens, begging for a reprieve for the other big cats, while former staff members expressed desire that the sanctuary would review the decision to put them down.

The manager stated that alongside the kind messages and expressions of sympathy, she had also received threatening and insulting messages.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she said. “We understand that passions are strong, but we appeal for consideration and respect as we navigate this heartbreaking predicament.”

The proprietor chose not to respond.

The regulatory body stated that the decision to euthanise the big cats was the responsibility of the owners, and that it had been notified of the plan.

A deputy director commented that euthanasia had to be conducted compassionately, and in line with animal welfare law.

“An animal welfare inspector will be on location to confirm this is done correctly,” the spokesperson noted. “We are assured that the establishment continues to satisfy its wildlife protection and security responsibilities.”

The facility gained minor fame in the early 2000s when it featured on a broadcast series about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it soon faced challenges. In 2009, a handler was fatally attacked by a white tiger while performing maintenance.

The facility repeatedly encountered financial trouble and staffing problems, and changed ownership on several occasions. In 2014, the regulatory body directed the park to close until the enclosures were upgraded. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.