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A struggling wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has announced it was forced to put down two of its elderly lions, with the fate of the other five lions still undecided, following economic struggles.

The privately owned wildlife park in the northern city of Whangārei shut down over the past weekend.

In a online post, the facility indicated that its proprietor had put the property up for sale in August, and the seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “following a difficult decision made by the landowner.”

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

“Even though it may potentially continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a scenario would require not only the acquisition of the land but substantial capital investment,” the operator explained.

In a recent announcement, the park verified that two of its lions had been put down.

“Yesterday we said goodbye Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were incurable and were deteriorating. These choices were made with utmost compassion and thoughtfulness,” the operator stated.

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

“A handful of parties have shown interest in buying the establishment and continuing to care for the lions. Although the window is limited and the circumstances remain unresolved, we are doing our utmost to explore this possibility and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “practical or compassionate option” due to their elderly status, the quantity of animals involved, and their specialized requirements.

The sanctuary’s updates were flooded with responses from members of the public, pleading for a reprieve for the other big cats, while ex-employees expressed hope that the park would rethink the plan to euthanise them.

The manager stated that alongside the sympathetic words and expressions of sympathy, she had also encountered hostile and insulting remarks.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she commented. “We acknowledge that emotions are high, but we request consideration and courtesy as we manage this tragic situation.”

The proprietor declined to comment.

The government department stated that the choice to euthanise the cats was the responsibility of the landowners, and that it had been advised of the course of action.

A high-ranking officer commented that euthanasia had to be performed compassionately, and in line with wildlife regulations.

“An compliance official will be onsite to ensure this is done appropriately,” the representative stated. “We are assured that the facility continues to meet its animal care and enclosure obligations.”

The facility attained some recognition in the early 2000s when it featured on a television show about a celebrity big cat handler.

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

The sanctuary often encountered monetary difficulties and workforce challenges, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the government agency directed the establishment to close until the habitats were upgraded. It restarted in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.