The Aalborg Zoo has sparked backlash after inviting homeowners to donate their wholesome animals for feed
A zoo in northern Denmark has sparked public outrage by encouraging folks to donate their undesirable pets, together with guinea pigs, rabbits, chickens, and even small horses, to be fed to its carnivorous animals.
Aalborg Zoo made the enchantment in a Fb publish final week, claiming it aimed to “imitate the pure meals chain” and supply correct diet for its predators.
“Chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs kind an necessary a part of the weight loss plan of our predators,” the publish learn. “That approach, nothing goes to waste — and we guarantee pure conduct, diet and well-being of our predators.”
The zoo’s web site additionally gives detailed tips for horse donations, requiring animals to be beneath 147 cm tall, in good well being, and accompanied by correct documentation. Donated horses are euthanized and slaughtered by zoo workers, with homeowners eligible for a small tax deduction primarily based on the animal’s weight.
The announcement has ignited fierce debate on-line. Whereas some commenters supported the concept as sensible and humane, others condemned the zoo for selling a “horrible development of indifference” towards animals. One person referred to as the initiative “a deeply perverse and degrading mindset.” One other sarcastically requested if they might donate “wholesome however annoying neighbourhood youngsters.”
This isn’t the primary time Aalborg Zoo has confronted backlash. In 2024, the zoo euthanized its final two African elephants, one as a result of age and the opposite because of the lack of appropriate companions. This introduced an finish to elephant holding on the facility. A 12 months earlier, one other elephant was additionally put down beneath comparable circumstances.
Denmark’s zoos have drawn worldwide criticism previously for controversial culling practices. In 2014, Copenhagen Zoo killed a wholesome giraffe named Marius as a result of his genes have been deemed too frequent for breeding functions. The zoo publicly dissected the carcass and fed it to lions, triggering world condemnation.
In neighboring Sweden, Furuvik Zoo confronted scrutiny in December 2022 after workers shot and killed three chimpanzees that had escaped their enclosure. The zoo claimed the choice was needed because of the danger posed by the animals, regardless of the park being closed to guests on the time.
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