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A financially troubled wildlife park in New Zealand has announced it was obliged to put down two of its senior lions, with the fate of the other five lions still uncertain, following financial difficulties.

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

In a online announcement, the facility indicated that its proprietor had put the property up for sale in August, and the seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “after a challenging decision made by the property owner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The team and I are devastated,” commented the sanctuary’s operator.

“While it could potentially continue as a big cat facility under new ownership, such a future would require not only the acquisition of the property but significant financial backing,” the manager added.

In a subsequent announcement, the facility confirmed that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were untreatable and were deteriorating. These actions were made with utmost compassion and thoughtfulness,” the director remarked.

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

“A few individuals have expressed interest in purchasing the establishment and providing for the lions. Although the window is tight and the conditions remain unclear, we are doing everything we can to explore this opportunity and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “viable or ethical option” due to their elderly status, the number of cats involved, and their specialized requirements.

The park’s announcements were flooded with messages from members of the public, begging for a second chance for the surviving lions, while ex-employees expressed hope that the sanctuary would review the course of action to put them down.

The manager noted that among the supportive comments and messages of sorrow, she had also received hostile and offensive comments.

“This is deeply distressing,” she commented. “We acknowledge that passions are strong, but we ask for kindness and decency as we manage this tragic situation.”

The proprietor declined to comment.

The government department clarified that the decision to put down the lions lay with the proprietors, and that it had been advised of the intention.

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

“An compliance official will be present to confirm this is done appropriately,” the official said. “We are satisfied that the facility continues to meet its animal welfare and enclosure obligations.”

The facility achieved a degree of notoriety in the early part of the century when it was shown on a broadcast series about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it soon encountered difficulties. In 2009, a handler was killed by a white tiger while carrying out duties.

The facility frequently ran into monetary difficulties and employment issues, and changed ownership repeatedly. In 2014, the regulatory body ordered the facility to shut down until the enclosures were upgraded. It restarted in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.