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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was forced to humanely kill two of its older lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still undecided, following economic struggles.

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

In a online announcement, the establishment explained 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 euthanised “following a difficult decision made by the property owner.”

“There were no real options left. The staff and I are devastated,” commented the park’s director.

“Even though it may possibly continue as a wildlife attraction under new ownership, such a scenario would require not only the acquisition of the property but substantial capital investment,” the operator noted.

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

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were not treatable and were worsening. These actions were made with profound consideration and thoughtfulness,” the operator said.

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

“A few individuals have expressed interest in purchasing the property and providing for the lions. Even though the timeframe is tight and the situation remain unresolved, we are doing everything we can to investigate this opportunity and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “practical or ethical option” due to their age, the group size involved, and their demanding care.

The sanctuary’s updates were flooded with messages from members of the public, pleading for a stay of execution for the surviving lions, while ex-employees expressed hope that the sanctuary would reconsider the plan to end their lives.

The operator stated that among the kind messages and words of condolence, she had also encountered menacing and abusive remarks.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she said. “We acknowledge that passions are strong, but we ask for consideration and courtesy as we handle this heartbreaking situation.”

The proprietor declined to comment.

The ministry for primary industries clarified that the determination to put down the cats lay with the owners, and that it had been informed of the course of action.

A senior official explained that putting down had to be conducted humanely, and in compliance with wildlife regulations.

“An compliance official will be present to confirm this is done correctly,” the spokesperson said. “We are satisfied that the operation continues to meet its wildlife protection and enclosure responsibilities.”

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

However, it rapidly encountered difficulties. In 2009, a staff member was killed by a white tiger while performing maintenance.

The park frequently encountered economic issues and staffing problems, and switched proprietors on several occasions. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries directed the facility to shut down until the facilities were upgraded. It reopened in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.