Zoo in Nuremberg serves lions with dead baboons; spectators are privy to the spectacle
Controversy Erupts at Nuremberg Zoo
A controversial practice at the Nuremberg Zoo in Germany has sparked public outrage and ethical concerns. Last July 29th, 2023, the zoo euthanized 12 healthy Guinea baboons due to enclosure overcrowding. The carcasses of these baboons were then used as food for the zoo's lions, tigers, wolves, and martens.
The heads, hands, and feet of the baboons were removed before they were fed to the predators, with the intention of respecting the sensitivities of visitors. Four baboons were preserved as skeletons for museum collections, and two were used for scientific autopsies. The zoo defended this practice, stating that it benefits the predators' dental health, as fur and bones help reduce tartar buildup naturally.
However, this practice has raised ethical issues and objections from animal rights groups. The deliberate euthanasia of healthy animals primarily due to overcrowding, followed by feeding them to predators, is not widely accepted and is highly contentious. Over a hundred legal complaints were filed alleging illegal killing, and zoo staff faced significant backlash, including death threats.
Visitors at the zoo witnessed the lions feeding on the dead baboons, with some finding the sight distressing, especially for children. One visitor described the scene as "terrible and awful." Critics argue that the practice could be traumatic for children, and it has sparked a debate about the ethics of using animals for entertainment purposes.
Despite the controversy, the Nuremberg Zoo has reopened, and the feeding times are clearly marked on information boards. Activists have announced a protest camp outside the zoo gates for August 4th, 2025, to voice their opposition to the practice.
In response to the criticism, Zoo Director Dag Encke has defended the zoo's actions, stating that it is a part of a specific response to overcrowding and not a broadly common practice in zoos. Encke argues that feeding carnivores meat from animals euthanized for various reasons is done in some facilities to provide natural diets, including bones and fur to aid dental health.
The topic of the baboon feedings is likely to continue to be debated, with animal rights groups calling for a ban on the practice, while the zoo defends its actions as necessary and beneficial for the animals. The controversy serves as a reminder of the ethical dilemmas that zoos face in balancing the needs of animals with the entertainment and educational purposes they serve for the public.
[1] Nuremberg Zoo under fire for feeding lions with baboon carcasses
[2] Zoo under fire for feeding lions with baboon carcasses
[3] Animal rights activists condemn Nuremberg Zoo's feeding of baboon carcasses to lions
[4] Nuremberg Zoo under fire for feeding lions with baboon carcasses
[1] The controversial decision made by Nuremberg Zoo to feed lion enclosures with euthanized baboons has sparked widespread criticism in home-and-garden and lifestyle circles, causing a significant stir in pet care communities.
[2] The Nuremberg Zoo's practice of feeding healthy baboon carcasses to lions, tigers, wolves, and martens has led to concerns about the zoo's ethical approach towards animal treatment, drawing scrutiny from pet owners and animal rights advocates alike.
