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A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has announced it was forced to put down two of its elderly lions, with the destiny of the other five lions still unclear, following monetary problems.

The private wildlife sanctuary in the northern town of Whangārei ceased operations over the weekend.

In a online post, the establishment indicated 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 “after a tough decision made by the property owner.”

“There were no real options left. The team and I are deeply saddened,” stated the facility’s manager.

“Although it might possibly continue as a lion park under fresh proprietors, such a future would require not only the purchase of the land but substantial monetary input,” the operator noted.

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

“Yesterday we said goodbye two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were not treatable and were worsening. These actions were made with deep care and deliberation,” the director stated.

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

“A few individuals have shown interest in acquiring the facility and providing for the lions. Even though the deadline is limited and the conditions remain unresolved, we are doing everything we can to investigate this option and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “feasible or ethical choice” due to their advanced age, the group size involved, and their specialized requirements.

The facility’s posts were filled with comments from the community, begging for a reprieve for the other big cats, while ex-employees expressed hope that the park would review the course of action to put them down.

The manager stated that among the supportive comments and messages of sorrow, she had also encountered threatening and insulting remarks.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she remarked. “We understand that emotions are high, but we ask for kindness and decency as we navigate this devastating circumstance.”

The proprietor refused to comment.

The government department clarified that the decision to put down the big cats rested with the owners, and that it had been informed of the plan.

A high-ranking officer explained that putting down had to be conducted humanely, and in line with animal protection legislation.

“An animal welfare inspector will be on location to ensure this is done correctly,” the representative noted. “We are satisfied that the establishment continues to satisfy its animal welfare and security responsibilities.”

The facility attained minor fame in the early 2000s when it appeared on a TV program about a famous animal trainer.

However, it soon faced challenges. In 2009, a handler was killed by a big cat while cleaning its enclosure.

The facility frequently encountered financial trouble and staffing problems, and changed ownership repeatedly. In 2014, the government agency ordered the park to close until the enclosures were upgraded. It restarted in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.