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A struggling wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has announced it was forced to put down two of its older lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still undecided, following economic struggles.

The privately owned wildlife sanctuary in the northern town of Whangārei shut down over the past weekend.

In a social media post, the establishment explained 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 landowner.”

“There were no real options left. The staff and I are heartbroken,” commented the park’s director.

“Although it might possibly continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a future would require not only the purchase of the property but significant financial backing,” the director explained.

In a subsequent statement, the sanctuary announced that two of its lions had been put down.

“We had to part with Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were not treatable and were declining. These actions were made with profound consideration and deliberation,” the director said.

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

“A handful of parties have shown interest in acquiring the establishment and maintaining care for the lions. Even though the timeframe is short and the situation remain unclear, we are doing our utmost to explore this opportunity and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “feasible or humane choice” due to their advanced age, the group size involved, and their demanding care.

The sanctuary’s updates were overwhelmed by comments from concerned citizens, requesting a reprieve for the remaining lions, while ex-employees expressed hope that the facility would reconsider the course of action to put them down.

The director noted that among the sympathetic words and words of condolence, she had also been subjected to hostile and insulting messages.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she remarked. “We recognize that passions are strong, but we request consideration and courtesy as we handle this devastating predicament.”

The property owner chose not to respond.

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

A deputy director commented that putting down had to be carried out humanely, and in line with animal protection legislation.

“An compliance official will be onsite to ensure this is done appropriately,” the official noted. “We are satisfied that the establishment continues to fulfill its animal care and enclosure requirements.”

The facility attained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it was shown on a TV program about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it quickly encountered difficulties. In 2009, a staff member was mauled to death by a big cat while carrying out duties.

The sanctuary often ran into economic issues and workforce challenges, and changed ownership on several occasions. In 2014, the government agency ordered the facility to close until the enclosures were upgraded. It reopened in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.