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A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has revealed it was compelled to euthanise two of its senior lions, with the outcome of the other five lions still undecided, following economic struggles.

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

In a social media announcement, the establishment indicated that its proprietor had put the property up for sale in August, and the seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “after a challenging decision made by the property owner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The staff and I are devastated,” said the sanctuary’s operator.

“While it could potentially continue as a wildlife attraction under new ownership, such a outcome would require not only the acquisition of the land but substantial capital investment,” the director explained.

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

“We recently farewelled two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were incurable and were declining. These decisions were made with profound consideration and deliberation,” the manager said.

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

“A few individuals have shown interest in purchasing the property and continuing to care for the lions. Even though the window is short and the circumstances remain unresolved, we are doing our utmost to investigate this possibility and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “practical or ethical choice” due to their advanced age, the group size involved, and their specialized requirements.

The facility’s posts were overwhelmed by comments from members of the public, pleading for a stay of execution for the remaining lions, while former staff members expressed hope that the facility would reconsider the plan to end their lives.

The manager stated that among the sympathetic words and expressions of sympathy, she had also been subjected to menacing and abusive comments.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she remarked. “We understand that passions are strong, but we request compassion and courtesy as we handle this devastating situation.”

The proprietor chose not to respond.

The government department clarified that the decision to euthanise the lions was the responsibility of the owners, and that it had been notified of the intention.

A high-ranking officer explained that euthanasia had to be performed humanely, and in line with animal welfare law.

“An regulatory officer will be onsite to confirm this is done appropriately,” the official said. “We are satisfied that the operation continues to satisfy its animal care and security requirements.”

The park gained some recognition in the early 2000s when it was shown on a TV program about a famous animal trainer.

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

The park often encountered monetary difficulties and employment issues, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the regulatory body instructed the establishment to shut down until the habitats were modernized. It restarted in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.