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A struggling wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has revealed it was obliged to humanely kill two of its elderly lions, with the outcome of the remaining five lions still uncertain, following economic struggles.

The privately owned wildlife reserve in the northern city of Whangārei ceased operations over the past weekend.

In a online announcement, the facility explained that its proprietor had listed the land up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, aged between 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 staff and I are heartbroken,” commented the park’s director.

“While it could possibly continue as a big cat facility under new ownership, such a scenario would require not only the acquisition of the land but considerable monetary input,” the manager explained.

In a subsequent statement, the park confirmed that two of its lions had been humanely killed.

“We had to part with Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had grave illnesses that were not treatable and were deteriorating. These actions were made with deep care and deliberation,” the operator said.

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

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

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “viable or compassionate option” due to their age, the group size involved, and their complex needs.

The sanctuary’s updates were overwhelmed by messages from the community, begging for a reprieve for the surviving lions, while former staff members expressed optimism that the sanctuary would rethink the decision to put them down.

The manager stated that among the kind messages and expressions of sympathy, she had also been subjected to threatening and abusive messages.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she commented. “We acknowledge that emotions are high, but we request compassion and respect as we navigate this devastating situation.”

The landowner chose not to respond.

The regulatory body indicated that the decision to put down the lions was the responsibility of the owners, and that it had been advised of the course of action.

A senior official commented that humane killing had to be carried out compassionately, and in line with animal protection legislation.

“An animal welfare inspector will be onsite to ensure this is done correctly,” the spokesperson noted. “We are satisfied that the facility continues to satisfy its animal care and containment obligations.”

The park achieved a degree of notoriety in the early part of the century when it appeared on a television show about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it quickly faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was fatally attacked by a big cat while carrying out duties.

The park often encountered monetary difficulties and staffing problems, and switched proprietors on several occasions. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries ordered the facility to shut down until the facilities were modernized. It reopened in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.