DANISH ZOO ASKS FOR UNWANTED PETS TO FEED TO ZOO’S PREDATORS

The Aalborg Zoo in Denmark has issued a request to the public asking them to donate their unwanted pets. While many initially thought the idea was to expand the zoo’s number of animals, it soon turned out that the zoo hopes to feed its predators.

The zoo is home to predators that follow a carnivorous diet, such as the European lynx, the Sumatran tiger, and the Asiatic lion.

On their Facebook page, the zoo said it wants any unwanted guinea pigs, rabbits, chickens and even small horses to imitate “the natural food chain of the animals".

“Chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs form an important part of the diet of our predators,” the post said. “That way, nothing goes to waste — and we ensure natural behaviour, nutrition and well-being of our predators.”

The zoo explained that the pets won’t be fed to the animals alive, but rather “gently euthanised” by staff trained to do so, before they are fed to the predators.

While some are disgusted with the initiative and have criticised the zoo’s request, others have praised the zoo for its efforts to maintain natural feeding behaviours.

The online debate led to Pia Nielsen, the deputy director of the Aalborg Zoo, to distribute a statement reassuring the public that it has been in place for years and it’s a common practice in Denmark.

Image credit: The Independent