Just last week, Aalborg Zoo in Denmark grabbed worldwide attention when it announced that it was inviting people to donate their unwanted animals so they could be used as food for some of the predatory species kept there.
In a Facebook post, the zoo explained: “Did you know that you can donate smaller pets to Aalborg Zoo? Chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs make up an important part of the diet of our predators – especially in the European lynx, which needs whole prey, which is reminiscent of what it would naturally hunt in the wild.”
“The animals are gently euthanised by trained staff and are afterwards used as fodder. That way, nothing goes to waste – and we ensure natural behaviour, nutrition and well-being of our predators.”
Given how deeply attached most people are to their pets — often treating them like family —it’s surprising that anyone would respond positively. Yet one woman, who ultimately gave up her rabbit, has now spoken about why she made that decision and how she feels about it.
She wrote on social media, according to The Mirror: “This is such a fine arrangement. I have delivered a rabbit to you, and it was a super nice and professional experience.”
To clarify, the zoo isn’t openly asking for healthy, playful puppies or pets that simply misbehave sometimes. However, the way their request was worded left plenty of room for interpretation, which is likely one of the reasons it attracted so much criticism. Many people already question the existence of zoos, and phrases like an animal that ‘has to leave’ can mean very different things to different owners.
He said: “Companion animals have a particular place in human-animal relationships. The very idea of a zoo offering to take unwanted pets in order to kill them and feed them to their predators will horrify most right-minded people.”
“Moreover, Born Free has always maintained that big cats and other predators don’t belong in zoos and should be phased out. Zoos cannot provide for the complex needs of these animals, and the idea that feeding them former pet animals will somehow compensate for the poor welfare they experience is preposterous.”
Despite the backlash, Kristina isn’t the only one to have taken up the zoo’s unusual offer. In one particularly striking example, another woman reportedly handed over her daughter’s pony, which was then fed to lions at the zoo.
