Tired of your pet? Too much work? This zoo is asking for donations to feed its large predators
A zoo in Denmark has asked visitors to donate their pets to feed the resident carnivores.
You would eat a pig, but would you eat your guinea pig? No, this is not an advert for PETA, just a potential slogan for Aalborg Zoo in northern Denmark, who have asked visitors to donate their pets to feed the carnivores.
They have asked for guinea pigs, rabbits, and chickens as possible donations, with tax breaks being offered if you give up a horse.
The zoo posted its appeal on social media, framing the move as a way to both help pet owners who can no longer care for their animals and provide natural, whole-animal meals for predators like the European lynx.
Here is the message in full, translated into English:
Chickens, rabbits, and guinea pigs make up an important part of the diet for our carnivores – especially for the Eurasian lynx, which requires whole prey animals that resemble what it would naturally hunt in the wild. 🐾
At zoos, we have a responsibility to replicate the animals’ natural food chains – both for animal welfare and professional integrity. 🤝
If you have a healthy animal that, for various reasons, needs to be rehomed, you are welcome to donate it to us. The animals are humanely euthanized by trained staff and then used as food. This way, nothing goes to waste – and we help ensure natural behavior, proper nutrition, and overall well-being for our carnivores. ♻️💕
Pia Nielsen, the zoo’s deputy director, said in a statement that: “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.
“Therefore, it makes sense to allow animals that need to be euthanised for various reasons to be of use in this way. In Denmark, this practice is common, and many of our guests and partners appreciate the opportunity to contribute. The livestock we receive as donations are chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, and horses.”
The zoo also has a specific horse donation page on its website where it is explained that trained staff euthanise and slaughter the animals as well as outlining the specific criteria for donations.
Public opinion is mixed on the idea, with plenty of online users quick to criticise the plea from the zoo, with the zoo even being forced to close off the comments section on some platforms. However, feeding dead zoo animals to other residents is not an uncommon practice when it compliments the natural food chain of the wild.
Related stories
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment