A zoo in Denmark asks visitors to give their pets to feed predators (3 photos)

In Denmark, a zoo has called on local residents to bring healthy pets, including rabbits, chickens and guinea pigs, to be used as food for the animals. The zoo explained that this is part of a program to recreate the natural food chain.





According to the administration of the Aalborg Zoo, which is located in the Jutland region, citizens are being asked to share unwanted or surplus pets so that they can be used as prey for the animals living on the premises. The zoo notes that these are only healthy animals that are euthanized by zoo staff before being fed to lions, tigers, and other predators.

In a post on its official Instagram page*, the zoo noted: "The animals are carefully euthanized by trained staff and then used as food. This way, nothing goes to waste and we ensure the natural behavior, nutrition, and well-being of our predators."

According to the post, the predators' diet includes small animals, which, according to the management, are an important part of the diet. The publication was accompanied by a photo of a wild cat showing its fangs.

The zoo's website also clarifies that it accepts more than just small animals. The zoo has stated that it is ready to accept live horses that meet certain criteria. In particular, the horse must be up to 147 cm tall at the withers, have a horse passport and be in satisfactory condition, with no signs of illness for the last month.

"The horse will be delivered alive to Aalborg Zoo, where it will be euthanized by a zookeeper and a veterinarian, and then slaughtered," the zoo's press service said.



The administration also reported that the zoo accepts chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs on weekdays from 10:00 to 13:00, but no more than four animals at a time. "If you have a healthy animal that needs to be given away for various reasons, feel free to donate it to us," the Facebook post says.

The Aalborg Zoo covers an area of 8 hectares, was founded in 1935 and receives around 400,000 visitors each year. It houses over 1,500 animals of 126 species.

The website also states that demand for prey varies seasonally, so there may be a waiting list.