Denmark

Danish Zoo Seeks Pet Donations to Feed Predators

Published AUG 4 2025

Story

Above: The Aalborg Zoo, Denmark. Image credit: Peter Bischoff/Getty Images

The Facts

The Aalborg Zoo in northern Denmark has requested public donations of small pets — including chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs — to serve as food for its predators, stating that the practice mimics natural food chains.
Popular Science
Aalborg Zoo
Die Presse
The zoo accepts donated animals on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., with a limit of four animals at a time. The facility states that trained staff will euthanize the animals before using them as fodder.
CBS News
DER SPIEGEL
The Aalborg Zoo also accepts horse donations with specific requirements, including a maximum height of 147 centimeters (57.8 inches) at the withers, a valid horse passport and no illness treatment within 30 days.
CBS News
Daily Mail
The zoo spans eight hectares of land, housing more than 1,500 animals representing 126 species, and welcomes approximately 400,000 visitors annually since its opening in 1935.
CBS News
Daily Mail
The zoo's social media announcement last week, accompanied by an image of a wildcat displaying its teeth, emphasized that nothing goes to waste and that nutrition for predators is ensured.
Aalborg Zoo
The Times of India
General-Anzeiger
Other zoos have similar practices, with Brookfield Zoo in Chicago accepting captive-bred reptiles and exotic birds on a case-by-case basis, while Alaska Zoo accepts frozen meat donations.
Huffington Post
Popular Science
Brookfield Zoo

Sources Split

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The Spin

Narrative A

This practice represents responsible animal husbandry that prioritizes the welfare of predators. Feeding whole prey mimics natural hunting behaviors and provides proper nutrition that processed foods cannot match. The zoo's transparent approach ensures donated animals serve a meaningful purpose rather than being wasted.

CBS News

Popular Science

Narrative B

The systematic killing of healthy animals reveals the entertainment industry's commodification of life. Zoos perpetuate harmful cycles in which animals become expendable assets, killed for operational convenience rather than genuine conservation needs. This practice contradicts ethical treatment claims.