Latest news with #PernilleSohl
Perth Now
13 hours ago
- General
- Perth Now
Woman defends donating daughter's pony to be lion food at zoo
A woman who gave her daughter's pony to a zoo as lion food has fired back at her critics. In Denmark, a mother called Pernille Sohl donated her daughter's pony to the Aalborg Zoo, which has launched a "food drive" to mimic its lions' natural food chair, with animals being sent to the tourist attraction as "whole prey". She told The Times newspaper: "It might sound very dramatic and bizarre that you would feed your pet to animals in the zoo. "But they are going to be put down anyway and it is not like they are alive when they are given to the predators." The zoo, located in Aalborg, Denmark, said in a recent post on its Facebook page that people can hand in chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs. These animals "make up an important part of the diet" for some of their big species, including the European lynx. And these predators need "whole prey, which is reminiscent of what it would naturally hunt in the wild". Chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs can be given, but "no more than four at a time", and the zoo assured that the donated pets will be 'gently euthanised' by trained staff. However, the Facebook post sparked outrage in the post's comments section. One user raged: "How disgusting. Having your healthy pet killed. "This is how people are encouraged to stop thinking twice before getting a pet, because, well, they can get rid of it anyway, thanks to the Aalborg Zoo!" A second person fumed: "How sick are you to think of something like that?" And a third commenter penned: "Insane!" Pia Nielsen, Aalborg Zoo's deputy director, said: "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. "It makes sense to allow animals that need to be euthanised for various reasons to be of use in this way."
NDTV
2 days 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."
News18
2 days ago
- General
- News18
Danish Zoo Offers Tax Deduction For Donating ‘Unwanted' Pets To Feed Predators
A woman claims she gave her daughter's pony to Aalborg Zoo in Denmark, where it was 'gently euthanised' and fed to the zoo's predators. Aalborg Zoo in Denmark recently drew both attention and criticism after launching an unusual request: they want people to donate small, healthy pets to feed their carnivores. The zoo shared the appeal on Instagram, encouraging owners of chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs to give up unwanted animals, which would be 'gently euthanised" before being fed to predators like the Eurasian lynx. The zoo explained that these animals form an important part of the diet for some of their predators, especially the lynx, which needs whole prey similar to what it would 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 said. They added that this approach ensures nothing goes to waste while promoting natural behaviour and nutrition among their animals. Woman Donates Daughter's Pony The program gained further attention when a woman revealed she had donated her daughter's pet pony to the zoo. Pernille Sohl, 44, told The Times she decided after the pony became ill. While acknowledging that the choice might seem shocking, she explained that many of the animals donated would be put down anyway. 'It might sound very dramatic and bizarre that you would feed your pet to animals in the zoo," she told The Times. 'But they are going to be put down anyway and it is not like they are alive when they are given to the predators," she added. How the Programme Works Aalborg Zoo staff confirmed the appeal has already resulted in donations of 22 horses, 18 guinea pigs, 53 chickens and 137 rabbits, as per the Indian Express. Donors receive a small tax deduction, DKK100 (£11.60) per small animal and DKK5 (about 58p) per kilogram for larger animals such as horses. Horses must also have a valid horse passport before they can be donated, the publication adds. The zoo emphasises that all animals are euthanised humanely by trained staff before being given to predators. Horses and other large donations are processed with their weight determining the tax benefit, the Indian Express also states. Feeding the Predators The diet of Aalborg Zoo's predators includes not only the Eurasian lynx but also lions and tigers. The zoo says offering whole prey helps mimic the animals' natural hunting habits, keeping them mentally stimulated and physically healthy. However, the appeal has sparked mixed reactions online. While some people support the idea as a way to give unwanted animals a purpose, others have strongly criticised it. A social media user even called it a 'sick invention" as per The Indian Express. The debate continues as more pet owners come forward, either in support of or against this controversial practice. About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at bring you stories on what's creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Woman donated daughter's pet pony to be fed to animals in Denmark Zoo; has no regrets
Aalborg Zoo in Denmark sparked backlash last week after it posted an appeal encouraging people to donate small, healthy pets to be used as food for captive predators. A woman claims she donated her daughter's pony to Aalborg Zoo in Denmark.(UnSplash) In a now-viral Facebook post, the Denmark zoo asked for 'unwanted animals' such as chickens, rabbits, and guinea pigs, stating they would be 'gently euthanized' and then fed to carnivores like the European lynx. "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." Woman Donates Daughter's Pony Now, a story has emerged of a woman who claims she donated her daughter's pony to the zoo. Pernille Sohl, 44, told The Times that she made the decision after the pony became ill. She admitted the move may seem shocking but animals being sent to the zoo were 'going to be put down anyway.' 'It might sound very dramatic and bizarre that you would feed your pet to animals in the zoo,' she told the outlet. 'But they are going to be put down anyway and it is not like they are alive when they are given to the predators.' Also Read: Ensuring animal welfare is crucial to prevent zoonotic diseases Donations Pour In According to Aalborg Zoo staff, the appeal has already resulted in donations of 22 horses, 18 guinea pigs, 53 chickens, and 137 rabbits. As part of the program, donors receive a DKK100 (£11.60) tax deduction per small animal, and DKK5 (about 58p) per kilogram for larger animals like horses.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- The 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
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. 4 4 4 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. 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. 4
