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A financially troubled wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was forced to put down two of its senior lions, with the fate of the other five lions still undecided, following economic struggles.

The privately owned wildlife park in the northern town of Whangārei closed its doors over the weekend.

In a online post, the establishment indicated that its proprietor 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 tough decision made by the landowner.”

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

“Although it might potentially continue as a lion park under fresh proprietors, such a future would require not only the purchase of the property but considerable capital investment,” the director added.

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

“We recently farewelled Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were not treatable and were declining. These decisions were made with utmost compassion and thoughtfulness,” the manager stated.

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

“A handful of parties have indicated willingness in acquiring the facility and maintaining care for the lions. While the window is limited and the situation remain uncertain, we are doing our utmost to explore this opportunity and maintain optimism.”

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

The facility’s posts were filled with comments from concerned citizens, pleading for a stay of execution for the remaining lions, while ex-employees expressed optimism that the facility would rethink the decision to end their lives.

The manager mentioned that alongside the supportive comments and words of condolence, she had also been subjected to hostile and offensive messages.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she commented. “We understand that emotions are high, but we ask for compassion and decency as we navigate this heartbreaking predicament.”

The landowner refused to comment.

The government department stated that the decision to humanely kill the lions was the responsibility of the landowners, and that it had been notified of the plan.

A senior official stated that euthanasia had to be performed humanely, and in line with animal welfare law.

“An regulatory officer will be onsite to ensure this is done correctly,” the spokesperson noted. “We are satisfied that the establishment continues to meet its wildlife protection and containment obligations.”

The sanctuary achieved minor fame in the early part of the century when it featured on a TV program about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it soon faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was fatally attacked by a white tiger while carrying out duties.

The facility repeatedly encountered economic issues and employment issues, and changed ownership on several occasions. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries instructed the facility to close until the facilities were upgraded. It resumed operations in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.