Aalborg Zoo Faces Backlash Over Request for Animal Donations

COPENHAGEN: Aalborg Zoo has ignited controversy by publicly requesting donations of small livestock to feed its carnivorous animals. This appeal, made on social media, has drawn significant public criticism. The zoo’s management, led by Anette Sofie Warncke Nutzhorn, clarified that they are seeking animals such as chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, and horses that are no longer viable for other purposes, particularly those that have been euthanised.

In a statement to AFP on August 5, 2023, Warncke Nutzhorn emphasized that the zoo was not seeking pets but rather animals that might otherwise be disposed of. “We are looking for small livestock, not pets,” she stated. The rationale behind this practice is based on the natural feeding habits of predators, which typically hunt animals of similar sizes. “Predators usually catch prey of this size, so it’s like the natural course,” she added.

The zoo’s call for animal donations has sparked a backlash on social media, prompting the institution to disable the comments section on the post due to what they described as “hateful” messages. The appeal stated, “If you have an animal that, for various reasons, has to go, you are welcome to donate it to us.” The zoo assured the public that only healthy animals are accepted, which are then euthanised by qualified staff before being used as food for the predators.

Aalborg Zoo has been receiving donations of animals for several years, and Warncke Nutzhorn defended the practice as a common one within the industry. “It is a very common practice; we were just sending a friendly reminder,” she remarked.

The ethics surrounding animal euthanasia in zoos have been a contentious issue in Denmark. In 2014, an incident at the Copenhagen Zoo involving the euthanasia of a healthy giraffe calf named Marius drew international outrage. Staff performed an autopsy on the animal in front of visitors before feeding it to the lions, a decision that sparked widespread condemnation and raised questions about animal welfare practices in zoos.

As the debate continues, Aalborg Zoo finds itself at the center of a discussion about ethical practices in animal care and management. The zoo’s approach highlights the complexities involved in maintaining predator-prey dynamics in captivity and the ongoing scrutiny faced by zoological institutions regarding their treatment of animals.