A zoo in northern Denmark, Aalborg Zoo, has sparked controversy by appealing to the public for donations of pets and smaller animals. This unusual request aims to supplement the diets of some of its carnivorous residents, particularly the European lynx, which require whole prey that mimics its natural hunting patterns.
The zoo’s statement on social media specified that animals such as chickens, rabbits, and guinea pigs play a crucial role in feeding these predators. They explained that for individuals needing to rehome their pets, donations are welcome. Sadly, donations will be euthanised by trained personnel before being prepared as food for the resident animals, ensuring that nothing goes to waste and that the dietary needs of the zoo’s carnivores are met.
In addition to smaller pets, the zoo’s website mentions that they are also accepting donations of horses, which are similarly euthanised and utilized for animal feed. Pet owners who donate horses might be eligible for a tax deduction.
This is not the first instance of a Danish zoo making headlines for its contentious practices. In 2015, Odense Zoo generated outrage when it publicly dissected the body of a young lion in front of an audience of children, which it defended as a learning opportunity but faced intense backlash for.
Aalborg Zoo’s proposal, while aiming to meet animal care standards, has raised ethical questions about pet welfare and the broader implications of euthanising healthy animals for food.