Danish zoo is asking for unwanted pets to feed their preditors

 

I have no idea who made this photo : It has humor

Predators at a zoo in Denmark could soon be feasting on new donations from the public — their pets.

Aalborg Zoo, which sits on the outskirts of the city of the same name in the Scandinavian country’s northwest, put out a call Thursday for unwanted animals on its social media channels.

A zoo in Denmark has sparked international outrage after asking the public to donate unwanted small pets, including rabbits and horses, to be fed to carnivorous animals like lions and tigers. The controversial plea is part of an effort to replicate what zookeepers call a “natural feeding environment.”

The practice isn’t new in Europe, but Denmark’s open call for pet donations has reignited ethical debates. Zoo officials argue that feeding live or recently euthanized animals provides mental stimulation and natural instincts for captive predators. However, animal rights groups are calling the move insensitive and disturbing.

Critics warn that inviting the public to treat pets as disposable may send a dangerous message. Supporters, on the other hand, believe it’s a more ethical solution than discarding animals. The zoo stands firm on its decision, stating it’s a transparent part of managing predator welfare.

Source: The Guardian

Aalborg Zoo has been feeding its carnivores smaller livestock for many years, deputy director Pia Nielsen said, “to give them as natural a diet as possible.”

“Therefore, it makes sense to allow animals that need to be euthanized for various reasons to be of use in this way,” she said in an email. “In Denmark, this practice is common, and many of our guests and partners appreciate the opportunity to contribute.”

In an update to its original post Tuesday, the zoo said it had closed the comments section.

“We understand that the post arouses emotions and interest, but hateful and malicious rhetoric is not necessary — and we encourage everyone to maintain a respectful tone,” the zoo wrote.

It is not unheard of for animals to be fed to predators after they have died in a zoo or culled from healthy animal populations.

In 2014, Copenhagen Zoo in Denmark's capital courted controversy when it killed an 18-month-old giraffe called Marius with a bolt gun and fed him to the lions, saying the animal was “unwanted.”

An online petition with thousands of signatures failed to save him and the zoo said at the time that Marius had been euthanized to avoid inbreeding. 

Giraf Marius killed. Why bring children to see this? 

By Chloe Yang and Peter Guo