Zoo asks individuals to donate undesirable pets to feed predators and imitate ‘natural food chain’

By Kathleen Magramo, CNN

A zoo in northern Denmark is asking pet homeowners to donate their undesirable guinea pigs, rabbits, chickens and even small horses – to not put them on show however to feed them to the zoo’s predators.

The Aalborg Zoo wrote in a Fb publish that it’s making an attempt to “imitate the natural food chain of the animals”.

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“Chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs form an important part of the diet of our predators,” it wrote within the publish alongside a picture of openmouthed, sharp-toothed lynx.

“That way, nothing goes to waste — and we ensure natural behavior, nutrition and well-being of our predators,” the zoo added.

On its web site, the zoo mentioned the donated animals will likely be “gently euthanized” by skilled workers earlier than being served up as meals. The zoo is house to carnivorous predators such because the Asiatic lion, European lynx and Sumatran tiger.

The zoo’s public request has drawn energetic debate on-line with some protesting the concept of turning pets into prey, and others praising the zoo’s efforts to take care of pure feeding behaviors.

Deputy director of Aalborg Zoo, Pia Nielsen, mentioned in an emailed assertion the initiative has been in place for years and is frequent observe in Denmark.

“For many years at Aalborg Zoo, we have fed our carnivores with smaller livestock. When keeping carnivores, it is necessary to provide them with meat, preferably with fur, bones, etc to give them as natural a diet as possible,” Nielsen mentioned.

“Therefore, it makes sense to allow animals that need to be euthanized for various reasons to be of use in this way.”

“In Denmark, this practice is common, and many of our guests and partners appreciate the opportunity to contribute. The livestock we receive as donations are chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, and horses.”

Carnivores fill a central area of interest in ecosystems, Nielsen added, saying they play an important function within the stability of nature.

It’s not the primary time that Denmark’s zoos have come below scrutiny for the way in which they feed their animals and management populations.

In 2014, the Copenhagen Zoo within the Danish capital euthanized a wholesome younger giraffe named Marius to keep away from inbreeding, regardless of a petition making an attempt to cease the transfer. Its carcass was used partly for analysis and partly to feed carnivores on the zoo – lions, tigers, and leopards.

Weeks later, public criticism flared once more when the zoo euthanized 4 of these lions, to make means for a brand new male in hopes to breed a brand new technology of cubs.