In a move aimed at supporting natural feeding behaviors, Aalborg Zoo in northern Denmark has issued a public request for donations of small pets to be used as food for its carnivorous animals.
The zoo announced its initiative in a recent Facebook post, emphasising that the goal is to replicate the natural food chain for the sake of "animal welfare and professional integrity." To reassure concerned donors, the zoo stated that all animals will be "gently euthanised" by trained professionals before being used as feed.
“If you have a healthy animal that needs to be given away for various reasons, feel free to donate it to us,” the post read.
Suggested donations include guinea pigs, rabbits, and chickens.
Once euthanised, these animals will be fed to the zoo’s predators. The zoo stressed that this process ensures "nothing goes to waste" while promoting "natural behavior, nutrition and well-being of our predators."
A striking image of a wildcat with bared teeth accompanied the post, along with a link to the zoo's website.
The facility also noted that it is open to receiving larger animals such as horses, but did not mention other specific species for donation.