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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has revealed it was forced to put down two of its elderly lions, with the fate of the other five lions still undecided, following monetary problems.

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

In a social media announcement, the establishment indicated that its owner 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 tough decision made by the landowner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The employees and I are deeply saddened,” said the sanctuary’s operator.

“Although it might possibly continue as a lion park under fresh proprietors, such a future would require not only the purchase of the property but significant monetary input,” the manager added.

In a later update, the facility announced that two of its lions had been humanely killed.

“Yesterday we said goodbye Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had grave illnesses that were not treatable and were declining. These actions were made with deep care and deliberation,” the manager said.

However, there was a “flicker of optimism” for the other five lions, which the facility had previously indicated would be put down.

“A few individuals have shown interest in acquiring the establishment and providing for the lions. While the deadline is tight and the conditions remain unclear, we are doing everything we can to pursue this option and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “practical or ethical option” due to their age, the quantity of animals involved, and their complex needs.

The park’s announcements were flooded with comments from the community, begging for a reprieve for the surviving lions, while ex-employees expressed hope that the park would rethink the decision to put them down.

The director stated that amid the sympathetic words and expressions of sympathy, she had also been subjected to threatening and insulting remarks.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she said. “We understand that passions are strong, but we request consideration and decency as we manage this tragic circumstance.”

The property owner chose not to respond.

The regulatory body stated that the decision to humanely kill the cats rested with the proprietors, and that it had been notified of the course of action.

A deputy director explained that humane killing had to be performed compassionately, and in compliance with animal welfare law.

“An regulatory officer will be on location to confirm this is done appropriately,” the official said. “We are assured that the establishment continues to satisfy its wildlife protection and containment obligations.”

The park achieved a degree of notoriety in the early part of the century when it featured on a TV program about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it rapidly faced challenges. In 2009, a handler was killed by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The park frequently ran into monetary difficulties and staffing problems, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the government agency ordered the park to shut down until the facilities were improved. It restarted in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.