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A struggling wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has revealed it was forced to humanely kill two of its older lions, with the destiny of the other five lions still unclear, following economic struggles.

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

In a online announcement, the facility indicated that its proprietor had put the property up for sale in August, and the 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 team and I are heartbroken,” stated the facility’s manager.

“While it could possibly continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a future would require not only the purchase of the property but considerable monetary input,” the operator explained.

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

“Yesterday we said goodbye Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were not treatable and were declining. These choices were made with profound consideration and deliberation,” the operator remarked.

However, there was a “ray of hope” for the remaining five lions, which the park had earlier indicated would be put down.

“A few individuals have expressed interest in buying the facility and continuing to care for the lions. Although the timeframe is short and the situation remain uncertain, we are doing our utmost to explore this possibility and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “practical or compassionate option” due to their elderly status, the quantity of animals involved, and their demanding care.

The sanctuary’s updates were flooded with messages from concerned citizens, begging for a reprieve for the surviving lions, while ex-employees expressed optimism that the sanctuary would reconsider the course of action to put them down.

The director stated that among the kind messages and messages of sorrow, she had also received menacing and insulting comments.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she said. “We understand that passions are strong, but we request kindness and decency as we manage this devastating situation.”

The property owner declined to comment.

The ministry for primary industries indicated that the decision to euthanise the big cats rested with the owners, and that it had been advised of the course of action.

A deputy director explained that euthanasia had to be conducted compassionately, and in line with wildlife regulations.

“An compliance official will be on location to confirm this is done properly,” the official said. “We are satisfied that the operation continues to satisfy its wildlife protection and security responsibilities.”

The sanctuary gained minor fame in the early part of the century when it featured on a TV program about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it rapidly ran into problems. In 2009, a keeper was fatally attacked by a white tiger while performing maintenance.

The facility repeatedly encountered economic issues and workforce challenges, and had multiple owners repeatedly. In 2014, the regulatory body ordered the establishment to shut down until the enclosures were improved. It reopened in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.