Aalborg Zoo, located in northern Denmark in a Facebook post, has asked the general public to donate unwanted pets, including chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, and even small horses, to be used as food for the zoo’s predators.
The Zoo in the Facebook post said: “Chickens, rabbits, and guinea pigs form an important part of the diet of our predators – especially the European lynx, which needs whole prey that resembles what it would naturally hunt in the wild.
“In zoos, we have a responsibility to imitate the natural food chain of the animals – in terms of both animal welfare and professional integrity,” the post continued.
“That way, nothing goes to waste – and we ensure natural behavior, nutrition and well-being of our predators.”
The public request by the Zoo has drawn mixed reactions. Some people are upset by the idea of donating pets to be used as animal feed. Others praise the zoo’s transparency and dedication to animal welfare, pointing out that in the wild, predators naturally hunt similar prey.
The zoo’s deputy director, Pia Nielsen, in an email statement, stressed that the practice has been in place for years and is common in Denmark.
Pia Nielsen said, “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.”
“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.”
What do you think about this? Is it an ethical way to manage feeding predator animals in captivity, or is it too controversial? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
