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A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has revealed it was forced to put down two of its elderly lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still uncertain, following economic struggles.

The privately owned wildlife reserve in the northern town of Whangārei ceased operations over the weekend.

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

“There were no real options left. The employees and I are heartbroken,” stated the facility’s manager.

“While it could possibly continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a future would require not only the acquisition of the property but significant capital investment,” the director noted.

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

“Yesterday we said goodbye two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were incurable and were declining. These choices were made with profound consideration and consideration,” the manager remarked.

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

“A handful of parties have expressed interest in purchasing the property and continuing to care for the lions. Even though the timeframe is limited and the conditions remain unclear, we are doing all we can to explore this opportunity and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “practical or compassionate choice” due to their age, the number of cats involved, and their complex needs.

The facility’s posts were overwhelmed by comments from the community, pleading for a reprieve for the surviving lions, while past workers expressed desire that the sanctuary would review the decision to put them down.

The operator noted that among the kind messages and messages of sorrow, she had also encountered threatening and offensive comments.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she remarked. “We acknowledge that passions are strong, but we ask for compassion and respect as we manage this devastating circumstance.”

The landowner refused to comment.

The ministry for primary industries clarified that the determination to put down the big cats was the responsibility of the proprietors, and that it had been informed of the plan.

A high-ranking officer stated that euthanasia had to be conducted humanely, and in compliance with animal protection legislation.

“An compliance official will be present to verify this is done appropriately,” the spokesperson said. “We are satisfied that the operation continues to meet its wildlife protection and containment requirements.”

The sanctuary gained some recognition in the early part of the century when it was shown on a broadcast series about a famous animal trainer.

However, it soon faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was mauled to death by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The park often experienced economic issues and workforce challenges, and had multiple owners repeatedly. In 2014, the regulatory body instructed the establishment to cease operations until the enclosures were modernized. It restarted in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.