Latest news with #Chicago57
West Australian
a day ago
- Health
- West Australian
Pernille Sohl: Mother gives her daughter's pony to a zoo to be eaten by lions, has ‘no regrets'
When a mother decided to send her daughter's pony to a nearby zoo to be fed on by predators, she did not anticipate global backlash. Pernille Sohl and her then 13-year-old daughter, Angelina Rasmussen, faced a tough time in 2020 when their pony's health took a turn for the worst. Chicago 57 was the family's sports pony and had participated in competitions all over their home country, Denmark. But it came time for Chicago 'to leave', and that is when Ms Sohl spoke with Angelina about the options they could take. '[Angelina] had previously watched one of my horses being taken to be euthanized, and it was a bad experience for her. She said that this time she wanted to follow the food chain. She wanted Chicago 57 to benefit other animals,' Ms Sohl told Avisen Danmark . Chicago 57 was not suffering a life threatening condition, but was old and in pain because of summer eczema which left him very itchy and covered in sores. He was also no longer able to compete. The family contacted Aalborg Zoo, and eventually took Chicago 57 onsite where he was euthanized. 'There was a zookeeper standing there cuddling and kissing him – as if it was me standing with him. I got to say a final goodbye, and he was put to death quietly,' Ms Sohl said. Years passed by, but Ms Sohl's story was brought into public debate after she left a comment on a Facebook post. Aalborg Zoo made a post calling for donations of small livestock and horses as a food source for the animals. 'If you have an animal that has to leave here for various reasons, feel free to donate it to us,' the post said. '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.' The practice is not new, the zoo has done it for as long as it has been in operation. Ms Sohl commented on the post about Chicago 57's story, but the comment has since been removed. In a post on her personal Facebook, she said 'sometimes your vacation is interrupted by interviews just because you comment on a post'. Social media users were outraged over Aalborg Zoo's call-out, with many labelling the policy 'unacceptable'. 'A deeply perverse and degrading mindset that is behind this sick invention, which has spread a terrible trend of indifference with animals in Denmark and this only supports this sad underdevelopment,' one user commented. 'A country is only as progressive as the way it treats its animals. - Mahatma Gandhi. Feeding pets is absolutely unacceptable,' another user wrote. But some were quick to defend the zoo, and said the debate was being blown out of proportion. 'Crazy that donating a horse or animal to humane euthanasia can create a wild debate,' one user wrote. 'It is much better for an unwanted pet to come to you and be humanely euthanized than for it to be thrown out of a car in a forest,' another commented. Despite the outrage and backlash, Ms Sohl said she has no regrets about the decision to donate Chicago 57. 'It's a good opportunity, and I've recommended it plenty of times. In horse groups on Facebook, people often ask what to do with their old horse, and I almost always get involved and tell [them] about our experience with Aalborg Zoo,' she said. She said if she had to make the same choice again, she would, but said the decision only makes sense if the horse is able to tolerate the trip to the zoo.
Perth Now
a day ago
- General
- Perth Now
‘No regrets': Mum gives daughter's pony to zoo for lion food
When a mother decided to send her daughter's pony to a nearby zoo to be fed on by predators, she did not anticipate global backlash. Pernille Sohl and her then 13-year-old daughter, Angelina Rasmussen, faced a tough time in 2020 when their pony's health took a turn for the worst. Chicago 57 was the family's sports pony and had participated in competitions all over their home country, Denmark. But it came time for Chicago 'to leave', and that is when Ms Sohl spoke with Angelina about the options they could take. '[Angelina] had previously watched one of my horses being taken to be euthanized, and it was a bad experience for her. She said that this time she wanted to follow the food chain. She wanted Chicago 57 to benefit other animals,' Ms Sohl told Avisen Danmark. Chicago 57 was not suffering a life threatening condition, but was old and in pain because of summer eczema which left him very itchy and covered in sores. He was also no longer able to compete. The family contacted Aalborg Zoo, and eventually took Chicago 57 onsite where he was euthanized. 'There was a zookeeper standing there cuddling and kissing him – as if it was me standing with him. I got to say a final goodbye, and he was put to death quietly,' Ms Sohl said. Years passed by, but Ms Sohl's story was brought into public debate after she left a comment on a Facebook post. Aalborg Zoo made a post calling for donations of small livestock and horses as a food source for the animals. 'If you have an animal that has to leave here for various reasons, feel free to donate it to us,' the post said. '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.' Pernille Sohl donated her daughter's pony, Chicago 57, to Aalborg Zoo as food for predators. Credit: Pernille Sohl The practice is not new, the zoo has done it for as long as it has been in operation. Ms Sohl commented on the post about Chicago 57's story, but the comment has since been removed. In a post on her personal Facebook, she said 'sometimes your vacation is interrupted by interviews just because you comment on a post'. Social media users were outraged over Aalborg Zoo's call-out, with many labelling the policy 'unacceptable'. 'A deeply perverse and degrading mindset that is behind this sick invention, which has spread a terrible trend of indifference with animals in Denmark and this only supports this sad underdevelopment,' one user commented. 'A country is only as progressive as the way it treats its animals. - Mahatma Gandhi. Feeding pets is absolutely unacceptable,' another user wrote. But some were quick to defend the zoo, and said the debate was being blown out of proportion. 'Crazy that donating a horse or animal to humane euthanasia can create a wild debate,' one user wrote. 'It is much better for an unwanted pet to come to you and be humanely euthanized than for it to be thrown out of a car in a forest,' another commented. Despite the outrage and backlash, Ms Sohl said she has no regrets about the decision to donate Chicago 57. 'It's a good opportunity, and I've recommended it plenty of times. In horse groups on Facebook, people often ask what to do with their old horse, and I almost always get involved and tell [them] about our experience with Aalborg Zoo,' she said. She said if she had to make the same choice again, she would, but said the decision only makes sense if the horse is able to tolerate the trip to the zoo.
NDTV
a day ago
- General
- NDTV
Denmark Woman Reveals Why She Donated Daughter's Pony To Feed Lions In Zoo
A 44-year-old Danish woman revealed that she once decided to donate her daughter's 22-year-old pony to Aalborg Zoo to be euthanised and fed to lions due to the pet's severe eczema and excruciating pain. Her comments came amid recent backlash against Aalborg Zoo after it asked people to donate small and healthy pets to be used as food for captive predators. The woman, named Pernille Sohl, told The Times that in 2020, she decided that Chicago 57, a German riding pony, had to be put down. While speaking to the outlet, she said she understood how the decision may sound "very dramatic and bizarre". However, the animals being sent to the zoo were "going to be put down anyway". "But they are going to be put down anyway, and it is not like they are alive when they are given to the predators," Sohl added. Sohl told the outlet that she runs a small farm in Assens, Denmark. Children with mental health issues visit the farm and spend time with horses. Aalborg Zoo says it imitates the natural food chain for its predators, citing animal welfare and professional integrity. Donors receive a tax deduction of DKK100 (£11.60) for small animals and DKK5 (58p) per kilogram for larger animals like horses. So far this year, the zoo has received 22 horses, 53 chickens, 137 rabbits, and 18 guinea pigs as donations. Although Sohl did not receive any payment from Aalborg Zoo, she would get a tax rebate. Another woman, Helen Hjortholm Andersen, donated her Shetland pony, Paprika, to Jyllands Park Zoo due to high costs associated with removing a dead animal. She supports the idea of pets benefiting other animals. Aalborg Zoo's Appeal Recently, the zoo asked for "unwanted animals" such as chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs. They said that the pet animals would be "gently euthanized" and then fed to carnivores. "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," the zoo wrote. "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."
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
I gave zoo my daughter's beloved pony Chicago so he could be fed to the lions – I don't see what all the fuss is about
CIRCLE OF LIFE I gave zoo my daughter's beloved pony Chicago so he could be fed to the lions – I don't see what all the fuss is about Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MUM has caused quite the stir after donating her daughter's much-loved pony to a zoo so he could be fed to the lions. Beloved horse Chicago 57 was taken to Aalborg Zoo in Denmark where he was killed and given to the hungry pride after months suffering from a nasty skin condition. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Pernille's 13-year-old daughter, Angelina Rasmussen, had to say goodbye to the family's old sports pony in 2020 Credit: PERNILLE SOHL 4 Aalborg Zoo issued a plea to the public asking for pet owners to donate their unwanted animals Credit: Aalberg Zoo 4 Killed animals were given to the lion to eat Credit: AFP This comes as the park issued a plea last week asking pet owners to hand over their unwanted animals to feed its captive predators. Pernille Sohl, 44, runs a small farm in southwest Denmark for children with mental health struggles to spend time with horses. In 2020, she determined one of her adored ponies needed to be put down after seeing his struggle with a form of eczema caused by mosquito bites. His condition became so bad he was forced to wear a jacket and leg covers to protect his open wounds. Read more on World FUN DAY Pubs with the best playgrounds and soft plays in the UK mapped - plus kids' meals She decided to put the animal's fate in the hands of her then 13-year-old daughter who chose to "follow the food chain". Pernille told The Times: "She had previously watched one of my horses being taken away by the vet to be euthanised, and it was a bad experience for her. "She said that this time she wanted to follow the food chain. She wanted Chicago 57 to benefit other animals.' The pony was then transported to the zoo where he was humanely killed with a shotgun - with Sohl right by his side. Her experience was so positive, she even returned when another one of her horses sadly died last year. Petting zoo worker beaten to death by KANGAROO after climbing into its pen to 'roughhouse' with animal But this time she was turned down because the animal was too big to fit in the zoo's fridge so his body was turned into dog food instead. With deductions on tax payments available and the cost of euthanizing horses being so high, there are also financial incentives to donating. Helen Hjortholm Andersen from the Jutland, north Denmark, found herself in a similar position to Sohl whent her shetland pony, Paprika was left unable to walk after a seizure. When she was quoted a "grotesquely high" price to pick up the horse, she took the animal to Jyllands Park Zoo, where like Chicago 57, he was humanely killed and fed to the animals. Zoo asks for unwanted pets to be used as meat to feed captive predators so 'nothing goes to waste' A ZOO has ruffled more than a few feathers after asking the public to hand over their unwanted pets to feed its captive predators. Aalborg Zoo, in Denmark, asked for healthy small animals such as rabbits, chickens and guinea pigs to be used as meat for feeding time. Keepers said each donor could donate up to four animals which could then be euthanised before being fed to the carnivore creatures. In a social media appeal, the northern Jutland zoo 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." The zoo also announced it is open to taking horses, provided the proper paperwork is in order – with Danish law even allowing for tax deductions under certain circumstances for horse donations. The operation has - perhaps unsurprisingly - drawn the ire of dozens online. In response to Aalborg Zoo's initial plea, one user fumed on Instagram: "Shame on you." Another said: "Asking people to send healthy animals that they don't want any more to you, so they can be slaughtered and fed to the zoo animals is one of the weirdest things I ever read." Punctuating their comment with a green vomit emoji, a third wrote: "Go vegan and stop supporting zoos." Aalborg Zoo has since closed its Facebook post to comments. It wrote: 'We understand that the post awakens feelings and interest, but hateful and malicious rhetoric is not necessary. And we urge you to preserve the good tone.' ZOO FURY The controversy comes hot on the heels of a gruesome incident in Germany, where Nuremberg Zoo killed 12 healthy baboons due to overcrowding. Keepers then fed their carcasses to lions, tigers, and wolves. The baboons reportedly had their hands and feet removed before being served up in front of horrified visitors. German zoo officials defended the culling as a last resort, but the backlash was swift. This isn't Denmark's first incident with zoo-related fury. In 2014, Copenhagen Zoo sparked massive outrage after it killed a healthy young giraffe named Marius over genetic concerns. His body was publicly dissected as part of an "educational demonstration". Meanwhile, in China, distressing footage of a shockingly obese panther sparked fury among animal lovers. The video captured the moment a large black panther waddled around its enclosure, struggling to walk as its huge belly visibly hung out. The big cat seemingly tried to hide behind a tree, but its bloated stomach made the usually svelte and streamlined animal easy to spot. The shocking footage was filmed at the Chengdu Zoo in Chengdu, Sichuan Province in China and images were shared online on March 9. The next day, the zoo told local media that the black panther was very old and a female aged 16-years-old.
