The Tiergarten Nürnberg Zoo in Germany has ignited a firestorm of controversy after reportedly euthanising 12 healthy Guinea baboons on Tuesday, citing overcrowding and failed relocation efforts, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The decision, first announced in February 2024, was met with fierce opposition from animal rights groups and protesters, some of whom glued themselves to the zoo grounds in a desperate attempt to halt the killings.
According to CNN, the zoo’s baboon population had swelled to 43, far exceeding the enclosure’s capacity for 25 animals. Despite attempts to relocate some baboons to zoos in Paris, China and Spain, no space remained available. Contraception methods were also abandoned years ago after failing to curb breeding.
The zoo’s closure on Tuesday for ‘operational reasons‘ did little to deter activists. Seven protesters were arrested after scaling fences and entering the premises, with one woman gluing herself to the ground.
Meanwhile, animal rights organisations, including Pro Wildlife, condemned the move as ‘irresponsible and unsustainable,’ vowing to file criminal complaints.
Christoph Maisack of the German Legal Association for Animal Protection Law argued that ‘letting them breed too freely cannot constitute a reasonable cause’ for euthanasia under German animal welfare laws.
Dag Encke, the zoo’s director, defended the culling, stating it adhered to guidelines set by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), which permits euthanasia as a ‘legitimate last resort.’
He also revealed that the baboons’ remains were fed to predators, a common but seldom-discussed zoo practice.
Critics, however, argue the zoo failed to plan for population control. ‘Responsibility does not end when space gets tight,’ said the German Animal Protection Association, urging stricter regulations on breeding policies.
While zoos worldwide face similar dilemmas, such as Copenhagen Zoo’s 2014 giraffe culling, the emotional response to primates, our close relatives, has amplified scrutiny. The incident raises urgent questions about ethical wildlife management and whether current policies prioritise conservation over individual animal welfare.
For now, the fallout continues, with activists demanding political action to prevent future tragedies.
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