Copenhagen Zoo Kills Healthy, 2-Year-Old Giraffe

Against international protest, the Copenhagen Zoo put down healthy, 2-year-old giraffe Marius.

Zoo’s scientific director Bengt Holst said they had no choice but to kill the animal. Marius was part of an international breeding program which prohibits inbreeding for the health of the overall species.

“As this giraffe’s genes are over-represented in the breeding program, the European Breeding Programme for Giraffes has agreed that Copenhagen Zoo euthanize him,” said Holst in an interview with Time Magazine.

Marius was anesthetized by zoo staff and then shot through the head with a bolt rifle. Lethal injection was avoided so as not contaminate the meat.

Though putting down Marius despite international pushback was shocking, the zoo’s decision to publicly display the animal’s autopsy at the zoo as an exhibit went a step further.

A small, voluntary group of adults, some with children, watched as the zoo staff picked apart the carcass of the giraffe and then cut up its pieces to be fed to the zoo’s lions.

Scientific proponents spoke on the issue backing the zoo’s decision. "I'm actually proud,” said Stenback Bro, a zoo representative. “I think we have given children a huge understanding of the anatomy of a giraffe that they wouldn't have had from watching a giraffe in a photo.”

In response to the both a Time Magazine and BBC News article, comments filled the pages from outraged parents who believe it dangerous for children to watch autopsies. “That's a lot to process for little kids,” noted a commentor.

Aside from parental concerns, animal rights supporters are also angered all over the world. Stine Jensen, from Denmark's Organisation Against the Suffering of Animals told BBC News the zoo “thinks that putting this giraffe down instead of thinking of alternatives is the best option.”

“We were open about it because we know it was the right thing to do,” Holst told Time Magazine.  “If we’re serious about science, we can’t be led by emotion.”

The question animal rights activists are asking, though, is if Marius needed to die. Other options available for the genetically undesirable animal include contraceptives or neutering.

Contraceptives in giraffes lead to medical problems including renal failure. And Holst told Time Magazine neutering the animal would diminish the animal’s quality of life because mating is an essential part of a giraffe’s well being.

Aside from medical procedures. the zoo also had two offers from establishments willing to take Marius.

The first offer from a Yorkshire zoo was refused Holst said because the spot should be held for an animal with more significant genes. The second offer, from a zoo in Sweden was refused because they could not ensure the animal would not be sold to another place.

Though the Copenhagen Zoo refused offers for what they believe were legitimate reasons, some last minute offers were also shrugged off.

Robert Krijuff, director of a wildlife park in the Netherlands also offered to take the animal, but was refused. In an interview with BBC News, Krijuff said,  "I can't believe it. We offered to save his life. Zoos need to change the way they do business.”