Zoo asks pet owners to donate their animals - so they can be fed to predators
The Aalborg Zoo, home to more than 1,500 animals representing 126 species, said it was trying to imitate the 'natural food chain' of the animals housed in its grounds by feeding them 'whole prey' for 'welfare' purposes.
The organisation suggested chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs make up an 'important' part of the diet of its predators, which include tigers and lions.
'The animals are gently euthanised by trained staff and are afterwards used as fodder,' the zoo's official Instagram account announced to its 23.7 thousand followers.
'That way, nothing goes to waste - and we ensure natural behavior, nutrition and [the] well-being of our predators.'
Aalborg Zoo in the Jutland region of Denmark covers eight hectares (20 acres) of land and opened in 1935.
Every year, around 400,000 guests visit the establishment.
'If you have a healthy animal that needs to be given away for various reasons, feel free to donate it to us,' the zoo said on posts on both Instagram and Facebook.
The company then linked to a webpage with more information, including the fact that the zoo also accepts 'live horses, which we euthanise and slaughter for food'.
'Our needs vary throughout the year, and there may be a waiting list,' the website said.
Before horse owners consider contacting the zoo about providing a donation, three conditions must be met: the horse must be a maximum of 147 cm at the withers, it must have a horse passport, and needs to be in a safe condition for transport - without having been treated for illness for the past 30 days.
'The horse will be delivered alive to Aalborg Zoo, where the horse will be euthanised by a zookeeper and a veterinarian and then slaughtered,' the zoo said.
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