Recently, news such as Copenhagen zoo, have come under scrutiny for their treatment for animals. Last week the zoo euthanized four healthy lions to make room for the arrival of a new male lion. Copenhagen zoo said ‘because of the pride of lions’ natural structure and behaviour, the zoo has had to euthanize the two old lions and two young lions who were not old enough to fend for themselves’, according to The Guardian website. The zoo said that the new male lion would have killed the younger ones as soon as it got the chance.
Copenhagen zoo had previously made headlines after euthanizing a young giraffe name Marius because it was considered unfit for breeding. European laws on inbreeding meant that the animal was unsuitable for procreation; however, other zoos such as the Yorkshire wildlife park in Britain had agreed to adopt the animal according to The Guardian.
While zoos offer protection for endangered species which would otherwise be lost to the world, there are many NGOs, such as PETA, who are mindful of the damage that zoos may also cause animals. However, zoos remain popular visitor attractions and places where breeding programmes and research are conducted.