The Aalborg Zoo in northern Denmark has sparked controversy after publicly appealing for healthy pet donations as food for its carnivorous animals. As the zoo explained in an Instagram post, it has a “responsibility to mimic the natural food chain” and provide a more realistic diet for its predators. “Smaller livestock make up an important part of our predators’ diets,” it said.

The initiative includes the reception of live chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs, which are then gently slaughtered by trained personnel, according to data collected by the British broadcaster BBC.

The measure also contemplates the donation of live horses, provided they meet certain health requirements and have an equine passport. Specifically, the horses cannot have received medical treatment in the 30 days prior to their delivery. If they hand over their animals, their owners can even obtain tax deductions, the institution assured.

The zoo defends the practice as part of a strategy for animal welfare and professional integrity."When breeding carnivorous animals, it's necessary to provide them with meat, preferably with fur, bones, etc., to give them a diet that's as natural as possible," said Pia Nielsen, the zoo's deputy director, as quoted by the BBC. She said this type of feeding has been used"for many years" and is well received by many visitors.

Among the animals benefiting from these donations are tigers, lions, and Eurasian lynxes, which “require whole prey that resembles what they would naturally hunt in the wild.” Small mammals can be dropped off without an appointment, although the number is limited to a maximum of four per weekday.

“If you have a healthy animal that needs to be retired for various reasons, we invite you to donate it (...) This way, nothing is wasted and we guarantee the natural behavior, nutrition and well-being of our predators,” concludes the Aalborg publication.

The zoo's official website features graphic images of tigers devouring raw meat, along with detailed conditions for donations.

The institution insists that this practice, although controversial outside the country, is common in Denmark and is aligned with its policy of transparency and sustainability in wildlife management.

They also assert that many people, far from being shocked, appreciate the possibility of making a concrete contribution to the care of wild animals. However, the initiative raises ethical questions that continue to divide public opinion beyond Denmark's borders.