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A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has revealed it was forced to euthanise two of its senior lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still unclear, following monetary problems.

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

In a social media announcement, the establishment explained 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 tough decision made by the property owner.”

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

“Even though it may possibly continue as a lion park under different management, such a future would require not only the purchase of the land but considerable monetary input,” the operator noted.

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

“We recently farewelled two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were untreatable and were declining. These choices were made with deep care and thoughtfulness,” the manager said.

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

“A several interested parties have shown interest in purchasing the establishment and maintaining care for the lions. While the timeframe is limited and the circumstances remain unclear, we are doing our utmost to investigate this opportunity and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “viable or ethical choice” due to their age, the quantity of animals involved, and their specialized requirements.

The park’s announcements were flooded with comments from members of the public, pleading for a stay of execution for the surviving lions, while ex-employees expressed hope that the park would rethink the course of action to end their lives.

The operator stated that alongside the kind messages and messages of sorrow, she had also received menacing and offensive messages.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she said. “We recognize that feelings are intense, but we ask for compassion and decency as we navigate this heartbreaking predicament.”

The property owner chose not to respond.

The regulatory body stated that the decision to put down the lions rested with the owners, and that it had been informed of the plan.

A deputy director commented that euthanasia had to be conducted ethically, and in compliance with wildlife regulations.

“An compliance official will be onsite to confirm this is done correctly,” the representative said. “We are satisfied that the operation continues to satisfy its wildlife protection and containment obligations.”

The park gained a degree of notoriety in the early part of the century when it was shown on a TV program about a famous animal trainer.

However, it rapidly faced challenges. In 2009, a keeper was fatally attacked by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The facility repeatedly encountered monetary difficulties and staffing problems, and had multiple owners on several occasions. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries instructed the facility to cease operations until the habitats were modernized. It resumed operations in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.