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A struggling wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has announced it was compelled to put down two of its older lions, with the fate of the other five lions still unclear, following monetary problems.

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

In a social media post, the establishment clarified that its proprietor had listed the land up for sale in August, and the seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “after a difficult decision made by the property owner.”

“There were no real options left. The team and I are deeply saddened,” said the sanctuary’s operator.

“Although it might potentially continue as a wildlife attraction under fresh proprietors, such a future would require not only the purchase of the land but significant capital investment,” the operator explained.

In a subsequent update, the sanctuary confirmed that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“Yesterday we said goodbye two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were incurable and were worsening. These decisions were made with deep care and deliberation,” the manager stated.

However, there was a “flicker of optimism” for the other five lions, which the sanctuary had earlier indicated would be euthanised.

“A handful of parties have shown interest in buying the establishment and continuing to care for the lions. Even though the window is limited and the situation remain unresolved, we are doing our utmost to explore this option and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “viable or ethical alternative” due to their elderly status, the quantity of animals involved, and their demanding care.

The park’s announcements were flooded with messages from members of the public, begging for a reprieve for the surviving lions, while ex-employees expressed hope that the sanctuary would reconsider the course of action to put them down.

The director noted that alongside the sympathetic words and expressions of sympathy, she had also received hostile and insulting remarks.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she commented. “We understand that passions are strong, but we appeal for consideration and respect as we navigate this tragic situation.”

The landowner chose not to respond.

The government department stated that the choice to euthanise the lions rested with the owners, and that it had been advised of the plan.

A high-ranking officer commented that euthanasia had to be performed ethically, and in line with wildlife regulations.

“An animal welfare inspector will be on location to verify this is done appropriately,” the representative stated. “We are satisfied that the facility continues to satisfy its animal care and security requirements.”

The sanctuary attained a degree of notoriety in the early part of the century when it featured on a broadcast series about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it rapidly encountered difficulties. In 2009, a staff member was killed by a big cat while cleaning its enclosure.

The sanctuary repeatedly ran into economic issues and employment issues, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the government agency ordered the facility to shut down until the facilities were upgraded. It resumed operations in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.