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

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

In a social media update, the establishment indicated that its owner had put the property up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “after a challenging decision made by the landowner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The employees and I are deeply saddened,” said the sanctuary’s operator.

“Although it might possibly continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a outcome would require not only the purchase of the land but considerable capital investment,” the director explained.

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

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were not treatable and were deteriorating. These choices were made with profound consideration and thoughtfulness,” the director stated.

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

“A several interested parties have indicated willingness in buying the establishment and continuing to care for the lions. Even though the timeframe is tight and the circumstances remain unresolved, we are doing our utmost to explore this opportunity and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “feasible or humane option” due to their age, the number of cats involved, and their complex needs.

The facility’s posts were flooded with messages from members of the public, pleading for a second chance for the surviving lions, while ex-employees expressed desire that the park would rethink the decision to end their lives.

The operator noted that alongside the kind messages and words of condolence, she had also encountered threatening and offensive messages.

“This is deeply distressing,” she said. “We recognize that feelings are intense, but we ask for consideration and respect as we manage this heartbreaking predicament.”

The property owner declined to comment.

The regulatory body clarified that the decision to put down the big cats was the responsibility of the owners, and that it had been informed of the intention.

A deputy director commented that putting down had to be performed humanely, and in line with wildlife regulations.

“An regulatory officer will be present to ensure this is done appropriately,” the representative stated. “We are satisfied that the operation continues to meet its animal welfare and containment requirements.”

The park achieved some recognition in the early part of the century when it featured on a television show about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it soon faced challenges. In 2009, a handler was killed by a white tiger while carrying out duties.

The sanctuary repeatedly ran into financial trouble and workforce challenges, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries instructed the park to cease operations until the habitats were improved. It resumed operations in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.