A zoo in Denmark is calling on the public to donate their healthy but unwanted pets as part of a natural feeding initiative for its carnivorous animals.
Aalborg Zoo is accepting live chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, and even horses to help replicate a natural food chain for its predators, including lions, tigers, and the Eurasian lynx. The smaller animals are “gently euthanised” by trained staff before being used as food.
Posting on Instagram, the zoo explained that it has a responsibility to mimic the diet these animals would have in the wild. “Smaller livestock make up an important part of the diet of our predators,” the zoo stated.
Donations of small animals can be made on weekdays—up to four animals at a time without prior appointment. For horse donations, the zoo outlines specific conditions: the horse must have a passport and must not have received medical treatment in the past 30 days. In return, donors may be eligible for a tax deduction.
Pia Nielsen, the zoo’s deputy director, clarified that feeding predators with smaller livestock has been a long-standing practice at the zoo. “When keeping carnivores, it’s necessary to provide them with meat, preferably with fur, bones, and other natural elements to mimic their wild diet,” she said.
Nielsen added that this approach is common in Denmark and has been well-received. “Many guests and partners appreciate the opportunity to contribute. It’s a way to ensure animals that need to be euthanised can still serve a purpose,” she said.
The initiative not only supports animal welfare but also promotes sustainable feeding practices for zoo carnivores.
