The world's zoos can do a lot of great work. Some endangered species are only still with us because of sheltered zoo populations. Every day, people across the world visit zoos, learn about wild animals they never would have seen otherwise, and maybe even develop an appreciation for these magnificent beasts.
Of course, some zoo animals present special problems. You can't feed a lion hay, after all; the big predators need meat. Not tofu, not veggie "garden burgers," but meat, preferably raw, and plenty of it.
Now, a zoo in Denmark, the Aalborg Zoo, has come up with a unique solution to feed at least some of their predatory critters: They are asking people to donate their pets to serve as snacks. Yes, really. But it's not as bad as you might think - at least, not completely.
The Aalborg Zoo said it is trying to mimic the natural food chain of the animals housed there “for the sake of both animal welfare and professional integrity” and offers assurances the pets will be “gently euthanized” by trained staff.
The zoo in northern Denmark explained in a Facebook post that “if you have a healthy animal that needs to be given away for various reasons, feel free to donate it to us.”
Now, they aren't talking about dogs or cats, here. Just some slightly less cuddly pets. The zoo assures us that these pets won't just be chucked into the enclosures with the predators; they'll be humanely put down first.
The zoo points to guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens as possible donations. After being euthanized, the animals will be used as fodder, the zoo said.
“That way, nothing goes to waste — and we ensure natural behavior, nutrition and well-being of our predators,” the zoo said.
Well, OK, guinea pigs are pretty cuddly. In fact, they're adorable. So are most domestic rabbits. Now chickens, I'd be willing to go along with that; chickens are nasty, stinky, and have a brain the size of a BB shot, so don't really bond with humans.
Even without the "adorable" factor, there's another problem; a rabbit or a guinea pig wouldn't even be a light snack for, say, a lion. But the Aalborg Zoo may have an idea there, too.
The online call for pet donations is accompanied by a picture of a wildcat baring its teeth with its mouth wide open and a link to the zoo’s website, noting the facility also is interested in receiving horses.
Horses? For lions, and tigers, and bears? Oh, my!
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Someone clearly didn't think this through. People get attached to their pets - even small, fuzzy things like guinea pigs. Euthanasia or not, it's hard to see any Danish family, say one that is moving to another town, telling little Vilja that she has to give up her bunny Gudrun - "But don't worry, dear, the zoo's wildcat will be glad to have her for supper. No, not as a guest. As a main course."
Seriously, what were these people thinking? Why not just do another fundraiser to buy more Purina Lion Chow? (I have no idea if that's really a thing.) This just seems like a remarkably poorly thought-out proposal.
Come on, Denmark. Get with the program. People love their pets.
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