Report Danish Zoo Faces Backlash for Using Pets as Predator Feed

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Aalborg Zoo, located in northern Denmark, is stirring controversy by requesting that locals donate unwanted pets, including guinea pigs, rabbits, and even small horses, to feed their predators. This unusual appeal, intended to mimic the natural diet of wild carnivores, was announced in a Facebook post featuring a fierce lynx.

 

The zoo asserts that providing whole animals, such as guinea pigs and rabbits, to their carnivores like the Asiatic lion and Sumatran tiger promotes natural behaviour and nutrition while ensuring that nothing goes to waste. Donated animals will be humanely euthanised by trained staff before being used as food.

 

Online, reactions are split, with some condemning the practice of turning pets into prey, while others support the zoo’s sustainable approach to animal feeding. The zoo clarifies that this initiative has been standard practice in Denmark for years, aiming to give carnivores a more authentic diet, including elements like fur and bones, reported CNN.

 

According to the zoo's deputy director, Pia Nielsen, using donated animals is part of a broader ecosystem approach. She highlights that contributing animals facing euthanasia for various reasons helps maintain balance and plays into the zoo’s educational mission.

 

Denmark's zoos have previously faced public scrutiny for similar practices, such as in 2014 when the Copenhagen Zoo euthanised a giraffe named Marius to prevent inbreeding. Despite petitions, its carcass served both research and feeding purposes. Subsequent criticism arose when lions were euthanised to introduce a new male in a breeding programme.

 

The debate addresses conservation ethics and animal welfare, with Aalborg Zoo asserting that its methods align well with natural principles and local standards. As the discussion continues, the zoo invites community involvement in fostering a more profound understanding of nature’s complex food webs.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from CCN 2025-08-07