German zoo euthanizes healthy antelopes
The Leipzig facility reported that it had to cull the animals as part of its population control measures. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The Leipzig Zoo announced it has euthanized four lechwe antelopes for population control, without indicating any issues related to health or age. The remains of the animals were subsequently utilized as food for other residents of the zoo.
On Friday morning, the antelopes were put down using five “precision shots,” as verified by a spokesperson for the zoo. The institution noted that efforts to transfer the animals to another zoo through the Ex-situ Program—a conservation initiative organized by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria—were unsuccessful.
According to the Leipziger Volkszeitung, the zoo's administration disclosed that the decision had received approval from a specialized ethics committee.
In a related instance, the Adelaide Zoo in Australia euthanized two lions in October. A male named Mujambi was the first to be euthanized due to health complications that the veterinary team could not resolve. Shortly after, the zoo made the decision to also put down Mujambi’s long-time companion, Amani, despite her not being critically ill.
The facility stated that they aimed to spare Amani from the “negative impacts” of living alone. “Euthanasia was deemed to be in the best welfare outcome interests of Amani because of her strong bond with Mujambi,” they explained.
The zoo pointed out that “at 23 and 19, both lions were in the latter stages of their lives,” with director Phil Ainsley emphasizing that relocating Amani to integrate her into another pride or environment “was considered too risky and stress provoking.”
Mario Tabraue, president and director of the Zoological Wildlife Foundation, expressed to 7NEWS that “there’s no logical reasoning or excuse for what was done here,” suggesting that the zoo could have at least attempted to “find [the lioness] another mate or friend.”
In late 2022, employees at Sweden’s Furuvik Zoo shot and killed three chimpanzees after they escaped from their enclosure, leaving one injured. At the time, the facility declared that the “fast, very strong and generally fearless” animals could “pose a threat to people’s lives.” A spokesperson commented that the zoo lacked sufficient tranquilizers to address the situation in a more humane manner.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
On Friday morning, the antelopes were put down using five “precision shots,” as verified by a spokesperson for the zoo. The institution noted that efforts to transfer the animals to another zoo through the Ex-situ Program—a conservation initiative organized by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria—were unsuccessful.
According to the Leipziger Volkszeitung, the zoo's administration disclosed that the decision had received approval from a specialized ethics committee.
In a related instance, the Adelaide Zoo in Australia euthanized two lions in October. A male named Mujambi was the first to be euthanized due to health complications that the veterinary team could not resolve. Shortly after, the zoo made the decision to also put down Mujambi’s long-time companion, Amani, despite her not being critically ill.
The facility stated that they aimed to spare Amani from the “negative impacts” of living alone. “Euthanasia was deemed to be in the best welfare outcome interests of Amani because of her strong bond with Mujambi,” they explained.
The zoo pointed out that “at 23 and 19, both lions were in the latter stages of their lives,” with director Phil Ainsley emphasizing that relocating Amani to integrate her into another pride or environment “was considered too risky and stress provoking.”
Mario Tabraue, president and director of the Zoological Wildlife Foundation, expressed to 7NEWS that “there’s no logical reasoning or excuse for what was done here,” suggesting that the zoo could have at least attempted to “find [the lioness] another mate or friend.”
In late 2022, employees at Sweden’s Furuvik Zoo shot and killed three chimpanzees after they escaped from their enclosure, leaving one injured. At the time, the facility declared that the “fast, very strong and generally fearless” animals could “pose a threat to people’s lives.” A spokesperson commented that the zoo lacked sufficient tranquilizers to address the situation in a more humane manner.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
