Bizarre and wrong' Danish zoo sparks row over how zoos feed their carnivores

When a Danish zoo posted a reminder of its long-running programme allowing people to donate their small pets to be "gently euthanised" and fed to predators, reaction poured in.

- Ashifa Kassam

But beyond the battleground of social media - where some protested against using pets as prey and others praised the effort to drum up a practical food supply - some pointed out that the zoo was simply laying bare the reality of keeping carnivores in captivity.

Marcus Clauss, the co-director of the clinic for zoo animals, exotic pets and wildlife at the University of Zurich, said: "If you accept the fact that you have carnivores in human care, either as a pet or as a zoo, you will agree to the fact that you feed them animal matter. Basically there is no other choice."

While acknowledging vegan dog food as an exception, Clauss added: "The logical next step is the question: where do you source that animal product from?"

Aalborg zoo closed its post to comments, citing "hateful and malicious rhetoric". The zoo said it was simply aiming to mimic the natural food chain by urging those with chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs that need to be put down to instead hand them over to the zoo. "That way, nothing goes to waste - and we ensure the natural behaviour, nutrition and wellbeing of our predators."