Zoo seeks unwanted pets to feed to predators

A ZOO in Denmark has put out a call for people to donate unwanted pets and animals - including chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs - so they can be turned into feed for its predators.

- ANNABELLE TIMSIT

Aalborg Zoo wrote on social media last week that healthy animals it receives will be "gently euthanised" by trained staff and then used as food for the predators, adding that this would help the zoo replicate its animals' natural food chain.

"That way, nothing goes to waste - and we ensure natural behaviour, nutrition and well-being of our predators," the zoo said, adding that some of its animals needed to eat "whole" prey.

The zoo also accepts donations of certain horses, which are euthanised and then used as food.

Online, critics balked at the idea of pets being fed to zoo animals, calling it a "cheap publicity stunt", "disrespectful" and "sick," and a policy they say could encourage pet neglect.