A zoo in Denmark is under fire after issuing a public request for pet donations — including chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, and even horses — to feed their carnivorous animals.
The controversial appeal came from Aalborg Zoo, which defended the move by citing its responsibility to promote natural behaviors and ethical animal care, according to ABC News.
“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 zoo said in a statement last Thursday.
The backlash online was swift, with critics calling the practice “disturbing” and “morally wrong.” But the zoo doubled down, saying the donation program ensures “nothing goes to waste — and [to] ensure natural behavior, nutrition and well-being of our predators,” according to the zoo’s website.
As part of the program, Aalborg Zoo accepts small pets like chickens, rabbits, and guinea pigs on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. — but no more than four at a time.
The zoo also accepts horses, which are euthanized and butchered for meat, though the site notes that supply needs vary by season and there may be a waiting list.
For horse owners, the zoo says the value of the horse donation may be tax-deductible, per Danish regulations.
ABC News has reached out to Aalborg Zoo for comment, but the story has already sparked renewed scrutiny of Danish zoos’ practices.
This isn’t the first time Denmark has made headlines over zoo policies. In 2014, Copenhagen Zoo ignited global outrage when it euthanized a healthy giraffe named Marius and fed it to lions in front of children. Just weeks later, the same zoo euthanized four lions, including two cubs, to make room for a new dominant male.
Zoo officials justified the move by explaining the existing lions “would not have been able to defend themselves” against the newcomer.
Aalborg Zoo echoed similar reasoning in its recent statement: “If you have an animal that has to leave here for various reasons, feel free to donate it to us,” they said. “The animals are gently euthanized by trained staff and are afterwards used as fodder.”
While the zoo insists the practice promotes ethical recycling of animal life and supports predator welfare, the public reaction has shown there’s a sharp divide between naturalistic animal care — and the emotional bonds many people share with their pets.
The debate is now raging far beyond Denmark, with animal rights advocates and stunned pet owners questioning how far zoos should go in recreating nature behind cages.
