Aalborg Zoo in Denmark has a new campaign. They’re asking guinea pig and rabbit owners as well as anyone who keeps chickens or small horses to surrender unwanted small livestock so they can feed them to their exotic carnivorous predators. Today, the zoo is focused on creating a new, more natural diet for its animals. Simultaneously, it addresses the increasing alarm over the management of animal numbers in Danish zoos.
For the past several years, to a great international acclaim, Aalborg Zoo has stuck to a practice of feeding its carnivores with smaller livestock. This approach aligns with the zoo’s commitment to providing a diet that mimics what these predators would consume in the wild. The zoo is home to many other carnivorous species, including the Asiatic lion, European lynx, and Sumatran tiger.
Pia Nielsen, a spokesperson from the Aalborg Zoo, said it was vital to provide a more natural diet of these apex predators. She stated, “For many years at Aalborg Zoo, we have fed our carnivores with smaller livestock. When keeping carnivores, it is necessary to provide them with meat, preferably with fur, bones, etc. to give them as natural a diet as possible.”
Denmark’s zoos have come under fire for how they’ve been managing their populations of animals as well as their methods of feeding animals. In the spring of 2014, the Copenhagen Zoo faced worldwide outrage for euthanizing a healthy young giraffe, Marius. They underwent this extreme measure to avoid inbreeding. The carcass of Marius was subsequently used at least in part to feed research animals, including carnivores like lions and tigers. Later that same year, Copenhagen Zoo euthanized four lions to make room for a new male to breed with the females.
The practice of feeding smaller livestock to larger carnivores is firmly rooted in Denmark. Nielsen noticed that most of Aalborg zoo’s visitors and funders enjoy doing nice things for the animals. They are grateful for the opportunity to have an impact with their contributions.
In Denmark, this is routine practice, and our guests and partners consistently express their desire to have the chance to provide it. The livestock we are donated are chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs and horses,” she added.
Aalborg Zoo’s commitment to sustainability goes far beyond its animal feeding practices. This program takes a hands-on approach to waste prevention. It’s truly in touch with the natural behaviors and nutritional needs of its predators.
“Chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs form an important part of the diet of our predators. That way, nothing goes to waste — and we ensure natural behavior, nutrition, and well-being of our predators.”
