A zoo in Denmark has triggered international outrage after publicly asking people to donate their unwanted pets to be used as food for its carnivorous animals.The controversial request, made over the weekend on Aalborg Zoo’s social media platforms, suggested that feeding zoo animals with donated pets was a more "sustainable" and "natural" alternative to conventional meat sourcing. The post invited individuals to hand over animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, and even cats and horses that they no longer wished to keep.Within hours, the backlash was swift and global. Animal rights groups condemned the zoo’s request as “deeply disturbing” and “ethically indefensible.” Online, thousands expressed horror and disbelief, with many accusing the zoo of promoting animal cruelty under the guise of environmentalism.“Calling for the donation of companion animals to be killed and fed to predators is a grotesque betrayal of public trust,” said a spokesperson for the international animal welfare organization PETA. “This desensitizes people to the suffering of animals and sends the wrong message, especially to children.”Outrage also poured in from pet owners and veterinarians around the world. Social media platforms were flooded with posts using hashtags like #BoycottDenmarkZoo and #PetsNotPrey, calling for the zoo to retract the statement and issue a public apology.Some defenders of the zoo argued that the request had been misunderstood or mistranslated, saying it referred only to small livestock-like animals such as farmed rabbits. However, critics pointed out that the zoo’s original language did not make that distinction clear.As the controversy escalated, several Danish politicians weighed in, calling for an investigation and demanding stronger oversight of zoo practices. One member of parliament described the request as “barbaric and completely out of line with Danish values.”The zoo has since removed the original post, but at press time had not issued a formal apology or clarification.This is not the first time a Danish zoo has attracted controversy. In 2014, Copenhagen Zoo faced international condemnation after euthanizing a healthy giraffe and dissecting it in front of a live audience, citing genetic management policies.Critics warn that unless clearer ethical guidelines are enforced, such incidents will continue to undermine public trust in zoos and their role in education and conservation.
