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A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has revealed it was obliged to euthanise two of its senior lions, with the outcome of the remaining five lions still undecided, following financial difficulties.

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

In a online update, the establishment clarified that its owner had listed the land up for sale in August, and the seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “after a tough decision made by the landowner.”

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

“Although it might potentially continue as a big cat facility under new ownership, such a future would require not only the purchase of the property but considerable financial backing,” the manager added.

In a subsequent update, the park confirmed that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were incurable and were declining. These actions were made with utmost compassion and thoughtfulness,” the manager stated.

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

“A several interested parties have shown interest in acquiring the property and providing for the lions. Although the window is tight and the conditions remain unresolved, we are doing all we can to investigate this possibility and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “feasible or compassionate option” due to their age, the number of cats involved, and their specialized requirements.

The park’s announcements were filled with messages from the community, pleading for a stay of execution for the surviving lions, while past workers expressed desire that the facility would reconsider the plan to end their lives.

The manager mentioned that amid the sympathetic words and messages of sorrow, she had also been subjected to threatening and insulting messages.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she commented. “We acknowledge that passions are strong, but we ask for kindness and decency as we navigate this heartbreaking circumstance.”

The proprietor declined to comment.

The regulatory body clarified that the choice to put down the big cats lay with the owners, and that it had been informed of the plan.

A high-ranking officer explained that humane killing had to be carried out ethically, and in line with animal welfare law.

“An compliance official will be on location to ensure this is done correctly,” the spokesperson noted. “We are satisfied that the establishment continues to meet its wildlife protection and containment obligations.”

The park gained some recognition in the early 2000s when it was shown on a broadcast series about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it soon faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was killed by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The facility frequently experienced financial trouble and employment issues, and switched proprietors on several occasions. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries directed the facility to shut down until the facilities were modernized. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.