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A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was forced to euthanise two of its senior lions, with the destiny of the other five lions still unclear, following monetary problems.

The private wildlife park in the northern town of Whangārei closed its doors 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 euthanised “following a challenging decision made by the landowner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The employees and I are devastated,” stated the park’s director.

“While it could potentially continue as a big cat facility under new ownership, such a scenario would require not only the purchase of the land but considerable capital investment,” the operator explained.

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

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were not treatable and were declining. These decisions were made with profound consideration and deliberation,” the director said.

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

“A few individuals have expressed interest in acquiring the property and providing for the lions. While the deadline is tight and the conditions remain unresolved, we are doing our utmost to investigate this opportunity and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “viable or ethical alternative” due to their age, the group size involved, and their complex needs.

The facility’s posts were overwhelmed by responses from members of the public, pleading for a second chance for the remaining lions, while past workers expressed desire that the park would rethink the decision to put them down.

The operator noted that amid the sympathetic words and words of condolence, she had also encountered hostile and abusive comments.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she remarked. “We understand that emotions are high, but we request consideration and courtesy as we navigate this tragic circumstance.”

The landowner declined to comment.

The regulatory body indicated that the decision to humanely kill the big cats was the responsibility of the landowners, and that it had been notified of the plan.

A high-ranking officer explained that humane killing had to be conducted compassionately, and in line with animal protection legislation.

“An animal welfare inspector will be on location to ensure this is done properly,” the spokesperson said. “We are assured that the facility continues to meet its wildlife protection and containment obligations.”

The park achieved a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it featured on a broadcast series about a famous animal trainer.

However, it rapidly encountered difficulties. In 2009, a staff member was fatally attacked by a big cat while cleaning its enclosure.

The facility repeatedly encountered monetary difficulties and employment issues, and switched proprietors multiple times. In 2014, the government agency instructed the park to close until the habitats were upgraded. It restarted in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.