The zoo's directors claim that overcrowding had led to an "increase in conflicts" among the baboon population and stated that no viable alternative for relocation existed. Despite prior announcements regarding the potential culling of some baboons due to an excessive population exceeding forty—well above the facility's sustainable capacity of 25 as established by a complex completed in 2009—the action has been heavily criticized by experts in animal protection law.
Christoph Maisack, a prominent figure in the German Legal Association for Animal Protection Law, denounced the reasoning behind the culling, stating that allowing the animals to breed unchecked should not justify their extermination. The zoo had previously attempted to manage population growth through contraception methods, which reportedly failed.
On the day of the incident, the zoo closed its doors for "operational reasons," prompting immediate protests where activists attempted to breach the perimeter. Following the culling, zoo officials confirmed that no pregnant females or baboons involved in scientific study were part of the group that was killed, asserting that the action was taken after careful consideration and in alignment with European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) guidelines.
Animal rights groups have condemned the culling as not only avoidable but also illegal, arguing that it stemmed from decades of irresponsible breeding practices at the zoo. The outcry recalls similar incidents from other European zoos, including a controversial case in 2014 when a Copenhagen zoo was criticized for culled a genetically duplicating giraffe and feeding its remains to lions, an event that was broadcast live online.
With the ongoing debate, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact local and international animal welfare policies and public perceptions of zoo practices.
Christoph Maisack, a prominent figure in the German Legal Association for Animal Protection Law, denounced the reasoning behind the culling, stating that allowing the animals to breed unchecked should not justify their extermination. The zoo had previously attempted to manage population growth through contraception methods, which reportedly failed.
On the day of the incident, the zoo closed its doors for "operational reasons," prompting immediate protests where activists attempted to breach the perimeter. Following the culling, zoo officials confirmed that no pregnant females or baboons involved in scientific study were part of the group that was killed, asserting that the action was taken after careful consideration and in alignment with European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) guidelines.
Animal rights groups have condemned the culling as not only avoidable but also illegal, arguing that it stemmed from decades of irresponsible breeding practices at the zoo. The outcry recalls similar incidents from other European zoos, including a controversial case in 2014 when a Copenhagen zoo was criticized for culled a genetically duplicating giraffe and feeding its remains to lions, an event that was broadcast live online.
With the ongoing debate, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact local and international animal welfare policies and public perceptions of zoo practices.
