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A struggling wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has announced it was compelled to euthanise two of its elderly lions, with the fate of the other five lions still undecided, following economic struggles.

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

In a social media update, the facility clarified that its proprietor had listed the land up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a challenging decision made by the landowner.”

“There were no real options left. The staff and I are deeply saddened,” stated the sanctuary’s operator.

“Even though it may potentially continue as a wildlife attraction under new ownership, such a future would require not only the acquisition of the land but substantial monetary input,” the manager noted.

In a recent announcement, the park verified that two of its lions had been put down.

“Yesterday we said goodbye Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had grave illnesses that were not treatable and were declining. These choices were made with profound consideration and consideration,” the manager said.

However, there was a “ray of hope” for the other five lions, which the sanctuary had earlier indicated would be humanely killed.

“A handful of parties have shown interest in acquiring the establishment and continuing to care for the lions. Even though the deadline is tight and the situation remain unresolved, we are doing all we can to investigate this possibility and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “viable or ethical option” due to their advanced age, the quantity of animals involved, and their specialized requirements.

The sanctuary’s updates were overwhelmed by responses from the community, requesting a second chance for the surviving lions, while ex-employees expressed optimism that the facility would reconsider the decision to put them down.

The director stated that among the supportive comments and words of condolence, she had also received menacing and offensive messages.

“This is deeply distressing,” she remarked. “We recognize that feelings are intense, but we ask for compassion and respect as we navigate this tragic predicament.”

The property owner chose not to respond.

The government department indicated that the choice to euthanise the lions rested with the owners, and that it had been notified of the plan.

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

“An compliance official will be present to confirm this is done appropriately,” the representative stated. “We are confident that the facility continues to fulfill its animal welfare and enclosure obligations.”

The sanctuary gained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it was shown on a broadcast series about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it quickly faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was mauled to death by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The facility often ran into monetary difficulties and staffing problems, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the regulatory body ordered the park to shut down until the enclosures were improved. It resumed operations in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.