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A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has revealed it was forced to humanely kill two of its senior lions, with the fate of the other five lions still unclear, following economic struggles.

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

In a social media update, the facility explained that its owner had put the property up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a tough decision made by the landowner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The team and I are devastated,” said the facility’s manager.

“While it could potentially continue as a wildlife attraction under new ownership, such a future would require not only the acquisition of the land but considerable financial backing,” the director noted.

In a later announcement, the facility confirmed that two of its lions had been put down.

“We recently farewelled Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had grave illnesses that were not treatable and were declining. These decisions were made with profound consideration and deliberation,” the manager remarked.

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

“A several interested parties have shown interest in purchasing the property and providing for the lions. Although the timeframe is limited and the circumstances remain uncertain, we are doing all we can to investigate this option and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “practical or humane option” due to their elderly status, the quantity of animals involved, and their specialized requirements.

The park’s announcements were flooded with responses from concerned citizens, requesting a stay of execution for the surviving lions, while ex-employees expressed optimism that the facility would review the decision to put them down.

The manager noted that amid the sympathetic words and expressions of sympathy, she had also been subjected to menacing and offensive messages.

“This is deeply distressing,” she said. “We acknowledge that passions are strong, but we appeal for consideration and respect as we manage this tragic circumstance.”

The proprietor chose not to respond.

The regulatory body stated that the determination to humanely kill the big cats lay with the owners, and that it had been informed of the intention.

A senior official commented that humane killing had to be performed ethically, and in line with animal welfare law.

“An regulatory officer will be present to ensure this is done appropriately,” the official stated. “We are assured that the establishment continues to fulfill its wildlife protection and containment requirements.”

The facility gained a degree of notoriety in the early part of the century when it was shown on a TV program about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it soon faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was mauled to death by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The park repeatedly encountered economic issues and staffing problems, and changed ownership multiple times. In 2014, the regulatory body instructed the park to cease operations until the enclosures were improved. It resumed operations in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.