The zoo says the program helps to replicate a natural food chain and improve animal welfare amongst its predators.
The zoo's Facebook message said the animals are extremely important dietary components for such predators as Asiatic lions, European lynxes, and Sumatran tigers. "Nothing wasted and lots of natural behavior, nutrition, and well-being for our predators," the post said.
The zoo's website says that all of the animals donated will be killed humanely by professionals, before being fed to the carnivores.
Controversy Over Ethical Feeding Practices
The online reaction to the public appeal has been divided. While some users praise the work as a way to feed zoo animals naturally and sustainably, others are disturbed at the prospect of pets becoming prey.
Deputy director Pia Nielsen defended the practice following a backlash, but explained that it was "nothing new in Denmark" as this has been taking place for many years.
"Keeping carnivores, meat is needed for them along with the fur, bones, etc., you can give to provide as close a diet to how they'd live in the wild," she wrote.
"It does make sense to bring some use of animals that will be euthanized for various reasons," he said.
In Denmark, many people agree with that, and at Aalborg Zoo, they also receive livestock as donations, for example, small mammals or horses.
Past Incidents Stirred Similar Debates
Of course, it is not the first time a Danish zoo has grabbed headlines over feeding and population control methods.
Copenhagen Zoo was met with international condemnation in 2014 after it euthanized a healthy young giraffe named Marius to protect against inbreeding. Later, he was put down and his carcass was used to feed other zoo carnivores.
The same zoo euthanized four more lions weeks later, to set the stage for a new male in another breeding effort.
The demand placed on Aalborg Zoo today resonates with fundamental discussions occurring all over the zoo world around the correct ways of feeding animals, animal welfare, and transparency.
