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

The privately owned wildlife reserve in the northern city of Whangārei closed its doors over the weekend.

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

“There were no real options left. The employees and I are heartbroken,” said the facility’s manager.

“Although it might potentially continue as a wildlife attraction under different management, such a future would require not only the acquisition of the land but significant capital investment,” the operator added.

In a later announcement, the facility confirmed that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We recently farewelled two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were untreatable and were declining. These actions were made with profound consideration and deliberation,” the director said.

However, there was a “glimmer of hope” for the remaining five lions, which the sanctuary had previously indicated would be put down.

“A handful of parties have expressed interest in acquiring the facility and maintaining care for the lions. Even though the window is limited and the circumstances remain unclear, we are doing all we can to explore this possibility and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “practical or ethical choice” due to their age, the number of cats involved, and their demanding care.

The sanctuary’s updates were filled with messages from the community, pleading for a second chance for the surviving lions, while past workers expressed hope that the sanctuary would reconsider the plan to end their lives.

The operator stated that alongside the sympathetic words and expressions of sympathy, she had also been subjected to hostile and insulting comments.

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

The property owner refused to comment.

The regulatory body clarified that the decision to euthanise the big cats was the responsibility of the owners, and that it had been notified of the plan.

A high-ranking officer explained that euthanasia had to be carried out ethically, and in line with wildlife regulations.

“An regulatory officer will be present to verify this is done correctly,” the official stated. “We are assured that the establishment continues to satisfy its animal care and security requirements.”

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

However, it quickly ran into problems. In 2009, a keeper was killed by a white tiger while performing maintenance.

The sanctuary repeatedly ran into economic issues and workforce challenges, and had multiple owners on several occasions. In 2014, the government agency directed the facility to close until the enclosures were upgraded. It resumed operations in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.