Roomies, we’ve seen some wild zoo headlines over the years, but this one? It has the internet side-eyeing real hard. A Danish attraction, Aalborg Zoo, just hit the timeline with a controversial reminder — and let’s just say, folks are shook over what they’re asking people to do with their pets.
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Danish Zoo Out Here Turning Pets Into Snacks
Recently, Aalborg Zoo in Denmark reignited global backlash after promoting its long-running program that encourages people to donate healthy, small pets — like rabbits, chickens, and guinea pigs — to be “gently euthanised” and fed to zoo predators. According to the zoo, it’s all about mimicking the natural food chain and avoiding waste.
“Chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs form an important part of the diet of our predators,” Aalborg zoo wrote in a social media post on Facebook. “Especially the European lynx, which needs whole prey that resembles what it would naturally hunt in the wild. If you have a healthy animal that needs to be put down for various reasons, you are welcome to donate it to us. The animals are gently euthanized by trained staff and then used as food. That way, nothing goes to waste – and we ensure natural behavior, nutrition and wellbeing of our predators.”
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However, when the post went viral, the internet did not take it lightly. Critics called the campaign “bizarre and wrong,” accusing the zoo of devaluing pets and crossing a major ethical line. The post got so heated that Aalborg Zoo had to shut down the comments section, citing “hateful and malicious rhetoric.”
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Supporters of the zoo argue that feeding whole carcasses to carnivores is actually common practice across accredited facilities — citing the behavioral and nutritional benefits. Additionally, some zoos even go as far as hosting public feedings. Recently, Denver Zoo’s lion feeding event featured pig carcasses and drew a packed crowd. However, the backlash here may come down to the use of the word “pet.”
One expert noted that carcass-feeding is standard in zoos, while many questioned the humaneness of the euthanasia methods. But, others say the campaign sends the wrong message entirely, especially as shelters worldwide deal with overcrowding. Now, as one critic put it: “Are you really happy saying: ‘OK, well Rex or Bruno, the time has come, there’s a hungry lion at the local zoo. Bye, off you go.’”
Mom Donates Daughter’s Pony To The Cause
A 44-year-old woman from Denmark is catching attention after revealing she donated her daughter’s 22-year-old pony to a zoo—to be euthanized and fed to lions. Additionally, Pernille Sohl told The Times that the pony, named Chicago 57, was suffering from severe eczema and constant pain, so in 2020 she made the tough call to send him to Aalborg Zoo. Her comments come as the zoo faces backlash for asking the public to donate small, healthy pets as predator food. Furthermore, Sohl admits it may sound “dramatic and bizarre,” but says the animals were already going to be put down. “It’s not like they’re alive when they’re given to the predators,” she added.
