Danish zoo asks for pet donations to feed predators

The Aalborg Zoo in northern Denmark wants locals to donate small animals and unwanted pets for feeding captive predators. The zookeepers are tasked with imitating the natural food chain of the animals. They are happy to take small animals that have to leave their families, according to a translated statement last week from the zoo. Chickens, rabbits, and guinea pigs specifically are important to a predator’s diet, and horses are also great for feeding the animals, the zoo said. Horse owners receive an at-value tax deduction for horses donated, according to the website, which lists additional rules for donating horses as prey.

Why would anyone donate an animal to be hunted? The prey are euthanized by staff before being fed to predators, according to the zoo. Giving predator animals at the zoo the whole prey, rather than cut meat, is an important part of animal welfare, the zoo continued. Feeding animals the whole prey means nothing is wasted and ensures that predators are behaving naturally while getting the nutrition they need, the zoo added.

Dig deeper: Listen to Emma Freire’s report on The World and Everything in It about the prioritization of pets in modern day, and how much is too much when it comes to animal companionship.