Germany: Nuremberg Zoo has confirmed that baboons killed to keep down numbers were fed to predators, amid public criticism after it was revealed the animals had been dismembered after death.
According to Deutsche Welle, news of the culling has sparked complaints from animal welfare groups over zoo ethics, animal welfare, and culling practices. The controversy intensified after reports surfaced that the animals were decapitated and some had their hands and feet removed.
Zoo representative Beckmann stated that the institution had openly communicated in advance that the baboons would be used as food for predators. He emphasized that whole-animal feeding provides crucial dental health benefits for carnivores, as bones and fur help prevent tartar buildup, unlike processed food. Beckmann also highlighted the behavioral benefits of such feeding practices, which mimic natural hunting conditions for the predators.
The decision to cull the baboons followed a period of chronic overcrowding in their enclosure, which no longer met welfare standards. The zoo had attempted to rehome the animals and implement contraceptive measures for the females, but these efforts were unsuccessful. The baboon group had grown to more than 40 animals, far exceeding the enclosure’s intended capacity of 25 adult baboons.
Animal welfare groups have reacted strongly to the culling. The Nuremberg-Fürth public prosecutor’s office confirmed it had received hundreds of criminal complaints over the allegedly unlawful killings and is now reviewing the case. Meanwhile, the activist group Animal Rebellion began setting up a protest camp near the zoo, demanding an immediate halt to further killings and an end to breeding programs.
Nuremberg Zoo defended the culling as a last resort after years of trying to control the baboon population through non-lethal means. Contraception had only a limited effect and disrupted natural group dynamics. Despite outreach to many institutions, no suitable home was found for the surplus animals. The zoo explained that expanding the facility was not feasible due to space and funding limitations and that they could not stop breeding entirely without undermining their long-term conservation role.