Danish Zoo Criticised for Asking Pets as Predator Feed

Call for Donations Sparks Controversy
The zoo said in a Facebook post that it is dedicated to keeping a healthy way of arranging the animals, like how they would look in nature. The zoo said all donated animals were "quietly and humanely euthanised" by experienced staff before they were fed to the predators.

Aalborg Zoo even published guidelines of its own on its website, including that horses had to have a horse passport and must not have received medical treatment in the last 30 days. Donors might be eligible for a tax deduction. — with Jackie Faherty

Aalborg Zoo's deputy director, Pia Nielsen, defended the move in a statement to the public. The reason for keeping whole prey like fur and bones is to replicate what they would eat in the wild (which is whole animals), and this has been done for a long time. "Of course it is a sensible idea that animals that you have to euthanise for some reason or another are used in this way," she said, stating the method was "quite common" across Denmark.

Public Reaction: Outrage and Condemnation
The zoo posted an explanation on its website, but the move has been met with outrage from the public. The concept of feeding zoo animals people's pets has been met with criticism on social media.

Another user added, "The sickness of the mind that would come up with such an abomination… To give your companion away as snake bait is about as low and vile as it can get.

One account added: 'Roger that, this is a joke, right. "Who would take their healthy pet to a zoo and say, Here, kill it, so you can feed them.
The idea is getting a lot of reactions, with one saying that it is "unbelievable" and another calling it "unfair." The respondents believed that the zoo has no empathy or respect for pet animals.

There has been no response so far from Aalborg Zoo as the debate continues.