Danish zoo calls for unwanted pets to feed its big cats

A zoo in Denmark has caused a stir after requesting donations of pets and animals from the public.

A zoo in Denmark has caused a stir after requesting donations of pets and animals from the public.

Aalborg Zoo, located in Denmark's north, released a statement on social media calling for people to donate smaller pets to help feed some of its animals.

"Chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs form an important part of the diet of our predators – especially the European lynx, which needs whole prey that resembles what it would naturally hunt in the wild," They said.

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In this undated photo made available by the Catalonia Government a view of a rare lynx captured in Catalonia. Litio, a four-year-old Iberian lynx, had been spotted on the outskirts of Barcelona on May 29.

"If you have an animal that needs to be removed for various reasons, you are welcome to donate it to us. The animals are gently euthanised by trained staff and then used as food. 

"That way, nothing goes to waste – and we ensure natural behaviour, nutrition and well-being of our predators."

The zoo also requested donations of horses on its website: "Aalborg Zoo gratefully receives live horses, which we euthanise and slaughter for food at Aalborg Zoo."

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Owners who donate a horse to the zoo as part of the scheme can receive a tax deduction.

It is not the first time a zoo in Denmark has made headlines for curious practices.

In 2015, Odense Zoo dissected the corpse of a nine-month-old lion in front of children.

Whilst the zoo defended the action as an educational experience, it received widespread condemnation.

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