Aalborg Zoo’s Unusual Call for Pet Donations
In a move that blends animal welfare goals with predator care, Aalborg Zoo in Denmark has asked the public to consider donating small pets for use as food for its carnivorous residents. The initiative, the zoo says, is designed to replicate a natural diet for captive predators while reducing waste.
Feeding Predators the Natural Way
The zoo explained that animals such as guinea pigs, rabbits, and chickens—when no longer wanted by their owners—can be “gently euthanized” by trained staff before being used as food. This approach, they claim, promotes the predators’ well-being by encouraging natural hunting instincts and balanced nutrition.
By integrating such feeding methods, Aalborg Zoo says it ensures the “natural behaviour, nutrition, and welfare” of its predatory species, while also preventing otherwise healthy animals from being discarded or left without care.
How the Program Works
In its Facebook announcement, the zoo invited owners with healthy animals they cannot keep to donate them instead of seeking other rehoming options. While small pets top the list, the zoo also noted an interest in larger animals like horses, though these are not as common.
The facility emphasized that only specific animals are accepted and stressed the process will be handled by trained professionals, ensuring both humane treatment and proper predator feeding practices.
Balancing Public Reaction with Professional Goals
Although the idea might spark strong emotional responses, Aalborg Zoo stands by its approach as a matter of “professional integrity” and responsible animal care. By sourcing food in this way, the zoo argues, nothing goes to waste, and predators are provided with diets closer to what they would encounter in the wild.
The zoo did not elaborate on whether future expansions of the program might include other animal types, and details beyond those provided on social media have not yet been released.
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