Denmark zoo asks for people to donate their pets to feed its predators
LONDON -- A Denmark zoo is asking the public to donate their pets -- particularly chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs -- so that they can feed them to the zoo’s predators.
“In zoos we have a responsibility to imitate the natural food chain of the animals -- in terms of both animal welfare and professional integrity,” the Aalborg Zoo said in a statement last Thursday.
The request created a backlash online with many disagreeing with the practice, but the zoo said the purpose of the program is to make sure “nothing goes to waste -- and [to] ensure natural behavior, nutrition and well-being of our predators,” according to the zoo’s website.
The zoo also said they would accept horses, which they euthanize and slaughter for food, though they said that the zoo’s needs vary throughout the year and there might be a waiting list.
For horses, Aalborg Zoo said it receives the horse as a donation and the owner of the horse can obtain a tax deduction for the value of the horse, according to the zoo’s website.
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