Aalborg Zoo in Denmark has ignited fierce debate after it appealed to the public on social media to donate their healthy but unwanted pets to feed the zoos carnivores.
Some of the animals allowed for donation include chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs and even horses. The zoo defended the practice as part of its mission to maintain the natural behaviours and dietary needs of its predators such as tigers, lions, polar bears and lynx.
Chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs make up an important part of the diet of our predators - especially the European lynx which needs whole prey that resembles what it would naturally hunt in the wild, said Aalborg Zoo.
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 post explained that donated animals are gently euthanised by trained staff before being used as food. That way, nothing goes to waste and we ensure natural behaviour, nutrition and wellbeing of our predators, said the zoo.