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A financially troubled wildlife park in New Zealand has revealed it was obliged to put down two of its elderly lions, with the outcome of the other five lions still unclear, following economic struggles.

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

In a social media post, the facility explained that its proprietor had listed the land up for sale in August, and the seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a challenging decision made by the property owner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The employees and I are devastated,” commented the facility’s manager.

“While it could potentially continue as a lion park under fresh proprietors, such a future would require not only the purchase of the property but substantial monetary input,” the operator noted.

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

“We recently farewelled Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were incurable and were deteriorating. These choices were made with deep care and thoughtfulness,” 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 indicated willingness in purchasing the property and providing for the lions. Even though the window is tight and the conditions remain unresolved, we are doing everything we can to explore this opportunity and hold onto hope.”

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

The facility’s posts were filled with responses from concerned citizens, pleading for a stay of execution for the surviving lions, while ex-employees expressed hope that the facility would reconsider the plan to end their lives.

The operator stated that alongside the supportive comments and expressions of sympathy, she had also encountered hostile and insulting comments.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she commented. “We acknowledge that passions are strong, but we appeal for kindness and respect as we manage this heartbreaking situation.”

The property owner declined to comment.

The ministry for primary industries indicated that the decision to put down the lions rested with the owners, and that it had been advised of the intention.

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

“An regulatory officer will be on location to confirm this is done properly,” the official noted. “We are satisfied that the establishment continues to meet its wildlife protection and containment requirements.”

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

However, it soon encountered difficulties. In 2009, a handler was killed by a big cat while carrying out duties.

The park repeatedly ran into economic issues and staffing problems, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the government agency instructed the establishment to shut down until the facilities were modernized. It reopened in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.