A European zoo is asking for donations of wholesome pets to feed to its predators as a part of a controversial coverage that has sparked worldwide outrage.
“Did you know that you can donate smaller pets to Aalborg Zoo?” the Denmark zoo posted on social media late final month. “If you have a healthy animal that needs to be removed for various reasons, you are welcome to donate it to us,” it continued.
The zoo, positioned within the northern metropolis of Aalborg, stated in Fb and Instagram posts that chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs are “an important part of the diet” of some predators, particularly the European lynx. The wild cat “needs whole prey that resembles what it would naturally hunt in the wild,” based on the zoo.
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On its web site, under an image of a tiger tearing right into a furry animal, Aalborg Zoo explains that it accepts animal donations from people and companies for euthanasia and slaughter as a result of its predators want entire animals – together with fur, bones and organs – fairly than butchered meat.
“In zoos, we have a responsibility to imitate the animals’ natural food chain – for the sake of both animal welfare and professional integrity,” the zoo, which homes about 1,200 animals and a analysis and conservation heart, stated in its posts.
The zoo stated the European lynx wants entire prey that resembles what it will eat within the wild. (iStock)
The zoo accepts not more than 4 small pets at a time, and, underneath sure situations, additionally takes horses, based on its web site. It doesn’t settle for canines or cats.
Donors should not paid, although the zoo says the contributions are tax-deductible.
The apply drew swift criticism, and the zoo later disabled the feedback on its posts, citing “hateful and malicious rhetoric.”
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“How disgusting,” one girl commented on Fb. “Having your healthy pet killed.”
“Feeding pets is absolutely unacceptable,” wrote another person.
“How is putting a dead pet on a plate for a caged animal anything close to reenactment of nature,” one particular person requested.
Individuals for the Moral Remedy of Animals (PETA) stated in a put up on its web site that there’s nothing pure about feeding companion animals to predators.
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“It’s not ‘natural behavior’ for predators from Asia, who roam and hunt for their meals, to be fed companion animals who originated in South America,” the anti-zoo animal rights group argued. Guinea pigs, for instance, are native to Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and elements of Colombia.
Some argue that feeding the predators companion animals doesn’t mimic a pure setting. (iStock)
“Companion animals are never needed to ‘imitate the natural food chain of the [zoo’s] animals,’” PETA added.
One other on-line critic stated the coverage spreads a “terrible trend of indifference with animals in Denmark.”
The Copenhagen Zoo was the main focus of protests in 2014 after it put down a wholesome 18-month-old giraffe as a result of its genes have been too much like different breeds on the zoo, elevating issues about inbreeding.
A veterinarian shot the giraffe and carried out an post-mortem in entrance of an viewers, based on stories on the time.
European zoos usually permit animals to breed freely after which euthanize any surplus, whereas American zoos extra incessantly depend on contraception to regulate populations, The New York Instances reported.
Researchers from the College of Zurich argued in a latest report that contraception adjustments the age profile and welfare of zoo populations, and deprives animals of “one of their most basic evolutionary drives.”
Zoo officers say the pet donation coverage has been in place for years. (iStock)
Some social media customers additionally agreed with Aalborg Zoo’s coverage, calling it the “circle of life.”
“It’s better for the animals to enter the food chain rather than being thrown into the wild,” one girl wrote.
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“It is a dignified end for a pet that has had a good life,” one other Fb person stated.
“Horse owners have known that you can donate to the zoo for many years – and it is often seen as a good solution,” stated another person.
One girl stated she donated a rabbit to the zoo and described it as a “super nice and professional experience.”
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In statements to different shops, a spokesperson stated the apply has been in place for “many years.”
“In Denmark, this practice is common, and many of our guests and partners appreciate the opportunity to contribute,” the spokesperson stated.
