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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has revealed it was forced to euthanise two of its elderly lions, with the outcome of the other five lions still unclear, following economic struggles.

The private wildlife reserve in the northern city of Whangārei shut down over the weekend.

In a online update, the facility clarified that its owner had listed the land up for sale in August, and the seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a difficult decision made by the landowner.”

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

“While it could possibly continue as a wildlife attraction under fresh proprietors, such a future would require not only the purchase of the property but considerable monetary input,” the operator noted.

In a recent statement, the park verified that two of its lions had been euthanised.

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

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

“A handful of parties have indicated willingness in purchasing the facility and maintaining care for the lions. While the window is tight and the circumstances remain unresolved, we are doing our utmost to pursue this option and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “practical or compassionate choice” due to their age, the quantity of animals involved, and their specialized requirements.

The sanctuary’s updates were overwhelmed by responses from concerned citizens, requesting a second chance for the surviving lions, while former staff members expressed optimism that the facility would reconsider the plan to euthanise them.

The operator stated that amid the kind messages and messages of sorrow, she had also received menacing and offensive messages.

“This is deeply distressing,” she said. “We understand that passions are strong, but we ask for compassion and decency as we navigate this tragic situation.”

The proprietor chose not to respond.

The regulatory body indicated that the decision to put down the big cats was the responsibility of the landowners, and that it had been notified of the plan.

A high-ranking officer commented that humane killing had to be performed humanely, and in compliance with animal protection legislation.

“An compliance official will be present to ensure this is done correctly,” the representative noted. “We are satisfied that the facility continues to meet its animal welfare and containment obligations.”

The sanctuary attained a degree of notoriety in the early part of the century when it featured on a TV program about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it rapidly faced challenges. In 2009, a keeper was killed by a big cat while carrying out duties.

The sanctuary frequently experienced economic issues and workforce challenges, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the government agency ordered the park to shut down until the facilities were modernized. It restarted in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.