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Pets on the menu? Why Denmark zoo wants you to donate animals
Aalborg Zoo has listed guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens as animals they can accept. AI-Generated/Representational Image
A zoo in northern Denmark has requested the public to give up unwanted pets, not to adopt them, but to feed its carnivores.
Aalborg Zoo has listed guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens as animals they can accept. These will be put down and then used as food for the predators, the zoo said.
ALSO READ | Why Australian zoo is facing backlash over putting down lions with a 'remarkable' bond
It also said it will accept horses under 147cm in height, provided they have a pet passport.
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The post met with strong reactions online. Some people have criticised the idea of using pets as food, while others have supported the move, saying it helps preserve natural feeding habits.
So, what reason has the zoo given for asking people to hand over their pets?
Let's take a look:
Why Denmark zoo wants people to donate pets to feed predators
On its website, Aalborg Zoo said the animals would be 'gently euthanised' by trained staff before being offered as food.
Notably, the zoo accommodates predators such as the Asiatic lion, European lynx and Sumatran tiger.
It explained that it wants to use donated pets to 'imitate the natural food chain of the animals.' It named chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs as key parts of the predators' diet.
The post, which included a photo of a snarling lynx, also said the zoo would 'gratefully' accept live horses, as long as they meet the conditions.
It added that 'nothing goes to waste' and invited pet owners to learn more through a web link, shown with an image of a tiger eating raw meat, which details how the pet euthanasia scheme works.
Pia Nielsen, deputy director of Aalborg Zoo, was quoted as saying by The Guardian: '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.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
'Therefore, it makes sense to allow animals that need to be euthanised 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.'
It named chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs as key parts of the predators' diet. Pixabay/Representational Image
Rules for animal donations
Aalborg Zoo has set clear guidelines for those wishing to donate animals. Guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens are accepted on weekdays, with a limit of four animals per donor at a time.
For horses, the zoo has listed specific conditions on its website:
The horse must have a valid passport
It must be in a safe condition for transport
The height of the horse must not exceed about 58 inches (147cm)
It should not have been treated for any illness in the last 30 days
This is not the first time Danish zoos have faced criticism over how they manage animal feeding and population control.
In 2014, Copenhagen Zoo put down a healthy giraffe named Marius to prevent inbreeding. Despite protests and a petition, the zoo went ahead with the decision. The giraffe's remains were used for research and to feed predators like lions, tigers and leopards.
ALSO READ | What does it take to relocate 50 African elephants? Fascinating images from Kenya zoo have the answer
How netizens reacted to the post
The zoo's recent social media post has drawn strong reactions.
One user called it 'a terrible trend of indifference with animals in Denmark,' while another said, 'feeding pets is absolutely unacceptable.'
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Speaking to Popular Science, a zoo spokeswoman said that staff at Aalborg Zoo 'have fed our carnivores with smaller livestock' for many years.
However, some responses were supportive. Several Facebook users appreciated the initiative and asked how they could donate their animals.
The zoo accommodates predators such as the Asiatic lion, European lynx and Sumatran tiger. Pixabay/Representational Image
One person shared their own story of giving away a rabbit, describing the experience as 'super nice and professional.'
Signe Flyvholm, a Denmark resident who has been visiting the zoo for 40 years, told The New York Times the post encouraged her to offer her horse.
'She could make a difference by being used as food… She is a very loved horse,' she said.
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Pets on the menu? Why Denmark zoo wants you to donate animals
A zoo in northern Denmark has asked the public to hand over unwanted pets, not for adoption, but to feed its carnivores. Chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs were listed as key parts of the predators' diet. The zoo also said it would accept a horse if certain conditions are met. The request, made on social media, drew strong reactions online, with some criticising it and others supporting the move as a way to maintain natural feeding habits read more Aalborg Zoo has listed guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens as animals they can accept. AI-Generated/Representational Image A zoo in northern Denmark has requested the public to give up unwanted pets, not to adopt them, but to feed its carnivores. Aalborg Zoo has listed guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens as animals they can accept. These will be put down and then used as food for the predators, the zoo said. ALSO READ | Why Australian zoo is facing backlash over putting down lions with a 'remarkable' bond It also said it will accept horses under 147cm in height, provided they have a pet passport. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The post met with strong reactions online. Some people have criticised the idea of using pets as food, while others have supported the move, saying it helps preserve natural feeding habits. So, what reason has the zoo given for asking people to hand over their pets? Let's take a look: Why Denmark zoo wants people to donate pets to feed predators On its website, Aalborg Zoo said the animals would be 'gently euthanised' by trained staff before being offered as food. Notably, the zoo accommodates predators such as the Asiatic lion, European lynx and Sumatran tiger. It explained that it wants to use donated pets to 'imitate the natural food chain of the animals.' It named chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs as key parts of the predators' diet. The post, which included a photo of a snarling lynx, also said the zoo would 'gratefully' accept live horses, as long as they meet the conditions. It added that 'nothing goes to waste' and invited pet owners to learn more through a web link, shown with an image of a tiger eating raw meat, which details how the pet euthanasia scheme works. Pia Nielsen, deputy director of Aalborg Zoo, was quoted as saying by The Guardian: '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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Therefore, it makes sense to allow animals that need to be euthanised 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.' It named chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs as key parts of the predators' diet. Pixabay/Representational Image Rules for animal donations Aalborg Zoo has set clear guidelines for those wishing to donate animals. Guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens are accepted on weekdays, with a limit of four animals per donor at a time. For horses, the zoo has listed specific conditions on its website: The horse must have a valid passport It must be in a safe condition for transport The height of the horse must not exceed about 58 inches (147cm) It should not have been treated for any illness in the last 30 days This is not the first time Danish zoos have faced criticism over how they manage animal feeding and population control. In 2014, Copenhagen Zoo put down a healthy giraffe named Marius to prevent inbreeding. Despite protests and a petition, the zoo went ahead with the decision. The giraffe's remains were used for research and to feed predators like lions, tigers and leopards. ALSO READ | What does it take to relocate 50 African elephants? Fascinating images from Kenya zoo have the answer How netizens reacted to the post The zoo's recent social media post has drawn strong reactions. One user called it 'a terrible trend of indifference with animals in Denmark,' while another said, 'feeding pets is absolutely unacceptable.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Speaking to Popular Science, a zoo spokeswoman said that staff at Aalborg Zoo 'have fed our carnivores with smaller livestock' for many years. However, some responses were supportive. Several Facebook users appreciated the initiative and asked how they could donate their animals. The zoo accommodates predators such as the Asiatic lion, European lynx and Sumatran tiger. Pixabay/Representational Image One person shared their own story of giving away a rabbit, describing the experience as 'super nice and professional.' Signe Flyvholm, a Denmark resident who has been visiting the zoo for 40 years, told The New York Times the post encouraged her to offer her horse. 'She could make a difference by being used as food… She is a very loved horse,' she said.
