The Controversial Decision to Euthanize Baboons at Nürnberg Zoo
A zoo in the German city of Nürnberg has sparked significant controversy after it announced the euthanasia of 12 baboons. This decision came despite widespread protests and concerns about the welfare of the animals, marking the end of a long-standing issue related to overcrowding within the facility.
The Tiergarten Nürnberg zoo first revealed its intention to cull some of its baboon population in February 2024. At that time, the zoo stated that it had explored various options to relocate the animals but found no viable solutions. This announcement led to immediate backlash from animal protection organizations, which criticized the zoo for not doing enough to find alternative placements for the baboons.
Protests against the plan continued to grow, with demonstrators gathering outside the zoo. On Monday, the zoo confirmed that it would begin preparing for the culling, and on Tuesday morning, it closed its doors for the day, citing unspecified operational reasons. Shortly after, police reported that seven activists had entered the zoo by climbing over a wall. One of them was arrested after gluing her hands to the ground near the entrance.
Later that afternoon, the zoo officially announced that it had killed 12 baboons. According to the deputy director, Jörg Beckmann, the selected animals were not pregnant females or part of any ongoing research studies. The animals were shot, and samples were collected for scientific analysis. Their remains were then intended to be fed to the zoo’s predators.
Zoo director Dag Encke explained that the decision was the result of years of deliberation. He argued that the culling was necessary to maintain a balanced and healthy population of baboons. The growing number of animals had exceeded the capacity of their enclosure, which was originally built to house 25 individuals plus their young. This overcrowding had led to increased conflicts among the baboons, raising concerns about their well-being.
Animal rights groups have strongly opposed the action, claiming that the zoo violated animal protection laws. They argue that the decision was unnecessary and that the zoo failed in its responsibility to manage its breeding program effectively. Laura Zodrow, a spokesperson for Pro Wildlife, stated that “this killing was avoidable and, from our point of view, is unlawful.”
The zoo’s population of Guinea baboons had reached 43, far exceeding the original capacity of the enclosure. Over the years, the zoo has attempted to reduce the numbers by relocating some animals. Since 2011, 16 baboons have been moved to zoos in Paris and China. However, these facilities have also reached their own limits, making further relocations difficult.
Another attempt to control the population involved using contraception, but this method was abandoned several years ago due to unsatisfactory results. As a result, the zoo faced a difficult choice: either cull some of the animals or risk violating animal welfare regulations.
Euthanasia of animals in European zoos is not uncommon, though it often sparks public outrage. For example, in 2014, Copenhagen Zoo killed a healthy two-year-old giraffe, which was then displayed in front of an audience that included children before being fed to lions. Such incidents highlight the ethical dilemmas faced by zoos when managing animal populations.
The situation at Nürnberg Zoo underscores the complex challenges of balancing conservation efforts with the ethical treatment of animals. While the zoo claims its actions were necessary, critics argue that more alternatives should have been explored before resorting to euthanasia. The debate continues as animal rights advocates push for greater transparency and accountability in zoo management practices.