'Gently euthanised': Denmark's Aalborg Zoo sparks backlash after launching appeal for 'unwanted pets' to feed its predators
The Aalborg Zoo in central Denmark is home to more than 1,500 animals belonging to 126 species, including an array of ravenous big cats.
The zoo has asked for donations of live chickens, as well as popular pets like rabbits and guinea pigs, which it promises are "gently euthanised" by trained staff before being fed to the zoo animals.
Posting on Instagram, the zoo argued it has a "responsibility to imitate the natural food chain of the animals" and smaller livestock "make up an important part of the diet of our predators".
Aalborg Zoo also accepts donations of 'live horses' and emphasised that owners who surrender their horses for slaughter are able to benefit from a potential tax break.
The zoo ended its appeal for unwanted pets, which was originally published in Danish, with emojis of a recycling symbol and a love heart.
The shocking request has sparked wide ranging debate on social media, with many animal-lovers calling the request a 'moral' betrayal of their beloved pets.
'I don't necessarily agree with this, the pet is under your care you have a moral obligation to watch out for its well being,' one commenter said.
'Being lazy isn't an excuse to put a perfectly healthy animal down.'
'Horrible. A pet being 'unwanted' shouldn't be sufficient reason to kill them, that's awful,' a second user agreed.
Meanwhile, other commenters took a more measured response and pointed out culling feral animals is vital for protecting native wildlife.
'I love my pets, but I also don't hate this idea,' one commenter said.
'Feral domesticated animals are often some of the most destructive invasive species, and this seems like a reasonable way to humanely cull populations without completely wasting the animal carcasses.'
In a statement, the zoo's deputy director, Pia Nielsen, defended the zoo's bizarre tactic for acquiring "meat".
"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," she told the BBC in a statement.
"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."
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Sky News AU
3 days ago
- Sky News AU
'Gently euthanised': Denmark's Aalborg Zoo sparks backlash after launching appeal for 'unwanted pets' to feed its predators
A major Scandinavian zoo has sparked a heated online debate after encouraging the public to donate their 'unwanted pets' to provide food for its predators. The Aalborg Zoo in central Denmark is home to more than 1,500 animals belonging to 126 species, including an array of ravenous big cats. The zoo has asked for donations of live chickens, as well as popular pets like rabbits and guinea pigs, which it promises are "gently euthanised" by trained staff before being fed to the zoo animals. Posting on Instagram, the zoo argued it has a "responsibility to imitate the natural food chain of the animals" and smaller livestock "make up an important part of the diet of our predators". Aalborg Zoo also accepts donations of 'live horses' and emphasised that owners who surrender their horses for slaughter are able to benefit from a potential tax break. The zoo ended its appeal for unwanted pets, which was originally published in Danish, with emojis of a recycling symbol and a love heart. The shocking request has sparked wide ranging debate on social media, with many animal-lovers calling the request a 'moral' betrayal of their beloved pets. 'I don't necessarily agree with this, the pet is under your care you have a moral obligation to watch out for its well being,' one commenter said. 'Being lazy isn't an excuse to put a perfectly healthy animal down.' 'Horrible. A pet being 'unwanted' shouldn't be sufficient reason to kill them, that's awful,' a second user agreed. Meanwhile, other commenters took a more measured response and pointed out culling feral animals is vital for protecting native wildlife. 'I love my pets, but I also don't hate this idea,' one commenter said. 'Feral domesticated animals are often some of the most destructive invasive species, and this seems like a reasonable way to humanely cull populations without completely wasting the animal carcasses.' In a statement, the zoo's deputy director, Pia Nielsen, defended the zoo's bizarre tactic for acquiring "meat". "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," she told the BBC in a statement. "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."
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Perth Now
Aalborg Zoo in Denmark calls on public to donate unwanted pets to help feed its hungry predators
The zoo wants to 'imitate the natural food chain of its carnivores' and promises 'nothing will go to waste'. The zoo wants to 'imitate the natural food chain of its carnivores' and promises 'nothing will go to waste'. Credit: The Nightly A zoo is calling for people to donate their unwanted pets to help feed their caged predators. The Aalborg zoo in Denmark put out the call on Facebook saying it wanted to 'imitate the natural food chain of the animals'. The latest appeal focuses on small animals including guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens but the zoo also takes horses which are slaughtered for feed. The horses must be a 'maximum of 147 cm at the withers' and not have been treated for illness in the previous 30 days, and have 'horse passport' which is where they are registered to a national database. Those who donate can earn a tax deduction for the value of the horse. The move comes days after a German zoo shot dead 12 healthy baboons that it could not longer keep for lack of space and reportedly fed them to other predators at the zoo including lions, sparking protests form animal rights groups. The Aalborg zoo says the live pets would be 'gently euthanised' and fed to its carnivorous animals, with 'nothing going to waste'. 'Chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs make up an important part of the diet of our predators - especially in the European lynx, which needs whole prey, which is reminiscent of what it would naturally hunt in the wild, ' the Facebook post reads. 'In zoos we have a responsibility to imitate the natural food chain of the animals - in terms of both animal welfare and professional integrity 'If you have an animal that has to leave here for various reasons, feel free to donate it to us. The animals are gently euthanized by trained staff and are afterwards used as fodder. That way, nothing goes to waste - and we ensure natural behaviour, nutrition and well-being of our predators.' Camera Icon A European Lynx needs whole prey. Credit: Adobe stock / Joris Machholz - Pia Nielsen, deputy director of the zoo, told 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. '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.' The public appeal has divided opinion, with some opposed but also many supporting the idea. One person wrote, 'Imagine giving away your pet/animal as fodder, it hardly gets more disrespectful and unworthy than that...' Another gave their take, 'A country is only as progressive as the way it treats its animals. - Mahatma Gandhi. Feeding pets is absolutely unacceptable.' One person who had donated their horse was a fan, 'Took a horse to the zoo, a few years ago. It was the quietest and most serene way it went down. It was the best experience for both horse and I. Sweet staff who took care of it in the finest way, and grateful for the donation. It could definitely be recommended.' Another took the opportunity to have a joke, writing 'What if you have gotten tired of some of your children this holiday????' The zoo responded, 'Your children are very welcome at the not as food... here we only accept animals with feathers or fur.'
The Age
18-07-2025
- The Age
Adam Liaw's Norwegian fish stew
I love Scandinavian food, and there's a simplicity to its cooking, especially in winter, that can be very usefully applied in Australian homes. A slightly soupier version of this stew is a specialty of Bergen, on Norway's south-west coast. I've used just one species of fish, but you can use any seafood you like. Method Step 1 Heat a large saucepan over medium heat and add the butter and leeks. Fry for about 2 minutes until softened. Step 2 Add the flour and stir to cook for a further minute or two. Add the stock a little at a time and stir to create a thick soup about the texture of thickened cream. Step 3 Add the bay leaf and season well with salt. Add the remaining vegetables and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes, until the vegetables are softened. Step 4 Add the fish and simmer for a further 5 minutes, then turn off the heat. Step 5 To finish the stew, place the sour cream in a heatproof bowl and ladle about 1-2 cups of the stew liquid into the bowl. Mix well, then pour the mixture back into the stew, stirring gently to combine the liquids without breaking up the fish and vegetables. Step 6
