Aalborg Zoo defends controversial move as part of natural animal welfare strategy; pets to be humanely euthanized before use as food
Danish Zoo Seeks Pet Donations to Mimic Natural Predator Diets
In a move sparking both interest and criticism, Aalborg Zoo in northern Denmark is inviting the public to donate small pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, and chickens—not for adoption, but as food for the zoo’s carnivorous animals.
According to a statement from the zoo, the initiative aims to replicate the natural food chain and promote animal welfare by ensuring predators receive species-appropriate nutrition.
📢 Official Statement: “Nothing Goes to Waste”
In a Facebook post, the zoo explained:
“If you have a healthy animal that needs to be given away for various reasons, feel free to donate it to us.”
They further clarified:
- Animals will be humanely euthanized by trained professionals.
- The practice helps ensure natural behavior and proper nutrition for predators.
- Donated animals become part of a zero-waste model, aligning with both ethical and professional integrity.
🐇 What Types of Animals Are Accepted?
Acceptable donations currently include:
- Guinea pigs
- Rabbits
- Chickens
The zoo also mentioned interest in receiving horses, though details were not expanded.
As of now, no additional pet types have been listed as eligible.
🌐 Public Reaction & Ethical Concerns
The online call was accompanied by a photo of a wildcat baring its teeth, drawing strong reactions on social media. While some supported the zoo’s ecological reasoning, others raised moral and emotional concerns about using former pets as predator food.
The zoo, however, defends its policy, stating that it upholds both animal welfare and scientific responsibility.
📌 Summary: Why the Zoo is Doing This
- Goal: Support predator health with natural diets
- Method: Accept unwanted pets, euthanize them, use as feed
- Justification: Animal welfare, ethical feeding, and resource efficiency
- Controversy: Raises questions around emotional attachment and ethics of pet euthanasia
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