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A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has stated it was obliged to euthanise two of its senior lions, with the fate of the other five lions still uncertain, following financial difficulties.

The private wildlife sanctuary in the northern city of Whangārei closed its doors over the weekend.

In a online post, 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 euthanised “following a tough decision made by the property owner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The staff and I are heartbroken,” said the sanctuary’s operator.

“Although it might potentially continue as a lion park under fresh proprietors, such a future would require not only the acquisition of the property but substantial capital investment,” the manager added.

In a later statement, the facility verified that two of its lions had been humanely killed.

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were untreatable and were deteriorating. These actions were made with deep care and deliberation,” the manager remarked.

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

“A few individuals have shown interest in purchasing the facility and continuing to care for the lions. While the deadline is limited and the circumstances remain unclear, we are doing our utmost to pursue this option and keep hope alive.”

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

The facility’s posts were flooded with comments from the community, requesting a reprieve for the other big cats, while past workers expressed hope that the facility would rethink the decision to put them down.

The operator stated that alongside the supportive comments and messages of sorrow, she had also encountered menacing and abusive remarks.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she said. “We recognize that passions are strong, but we appeal for kindness and decency as we manage this tragic circumstance.”

The proprietor refused to comment.

The ministry for primary industries stated that the choice to euthanise the lions rested with the owners, and that it had been notified of the intention.

A deputy director commented that euthanasia had to be conducted compassionately, and in line with animal welfare law.

“An regulatory officer will be present to ensure this is done correctly,” the spokesperson stated. “We are assured that the establishment continues to fulfill its animal welfare and security requirements.”

The facility attained minor fame in the early part of the century when it featured on a TV program about a famous animal trainer.

However, it soon ran into problems. In 2009, a staff member was killed by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The facility frequently encountered financial trouble and employment issues, and switched proprietors repeatedly. In 2014, the regulatory body ordered the facility to close until the habitats were modernized. It reopened in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.