Protest the Killing of a Healthy Baby Giraffe in Copenhagen
- by: Susan Findlay-Nomura
- recipient: Prime Minister of Denmark, Helle Thorning-Schmidt
If you are outraged by the Copenhagen Zoo's killing of a healthy baby giraffe please sign to outlaw this cruel and inhumane treatment of animals. The Copenhagen Zoo claims that they killed the giraffe to prevent "inbreeding" in their giraffe breeding program. However, many other zoos offered to accept the young giraffe. The Copenhagen Zoo declined the offers because they claimed that they couldn't compromise their "breeding standards". Although stressful for the giraffe, being transferred to another zoo or sanctuary would have given him at least a 50% chance of survival. Incredibly, the giraffe was publicly euthanized and then fed to the lions in the Copenhagen Zoo.
The primary mission of zoos should always be the humane treatment of the animals in their care. We demand that the law be changed so that zoos internationally are required to find alternative zoos or sanctuaries for any animals they can no longer care for. If zoos violate this law, they should be closed down.
Please sign to fight for animals who have no voice. They depend upon us to advocate for them. Please sign to show you will no longer tolerate this cruel and inhumane treatment of animals in zoos internationally.
February 26, 2014
Dear Prime Minister Thorning-Schmidt,
The Scandinavian countries have often been pointed to as progressive role models for the rest of the world. This made my shock and dismay that much stronger when I heard of the horrific killing of Marius the giraffe in the Copenhagen Zoo. The reasons given for Marius' killing were that his genetic similarity to other giraffes would cause "inbreeding" if he mated among the giraffe population at Copenhagen Zoo. However, many other zoos or sanctuaries stepped forward stating that they would take Marius, even offering large amounts of money. Inconceivable to me, the leadership of Copenhagen Zoo declined their offers. Despite international outcry, Marius was publicly killed in front of children. Marius was then dismembered and fed to the lions at the Copenhagen Zoo. When I first saw the photos of the dead giraffe I hadn't known about the previous campaign to save Marius. I was so horrified and couldn't believe what I was seeing. I assumed this must have happened in one of the more unenlightened countries of the world. When I found out the truth I still couldn't believe it happened in Denmark and couldn't understand how anyone could possibly think that this was okay. I looked for a petition to sign to express my outrage. I couldn't find one so started my own.
Marius lived his life in captivity, only to be slaughtered by the people who had pledged to love and care for him. This is unconscionable and makes all zoos look bad. In North American zoos laws require that euthanasia only be used in cases when the animal is very sick or very old and their quality of life is compromised. Birth control is used. Animals are moved to other zoos or sanctuaries if their zoo is no longer able to care for them. I demand that Denmark demonstrate compassion and humane treatment of animals in their zoos and change the law that allows euthanasia of healthy animals in zoos. It is barbaric eugenics and reminds me of something the Nazis would have dreamed up. Denmark has no right to have zoos if the country doesn't know how to treat the animals with compassion and move them to different zoos or sanctuaries when they no longer are able to care for them.
Please change the laws and make euthanasia of healthy animals in zoos illegal. Please change the laws so that if zoos are no longer able to care for a healthy animal, they are required to move the animal to a sanctuary or different zoo. The treatment of Marius was one of the most horrific acts of animal cruelty that I have ever seen. I know that the nation of Denmark is better than that.
There is a famous quote from Mahatma Gandhi: "The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated." I totally agree with Gandhi's statement. I ask that Denmark change their laws to extend compassion to zoo animals. I ask that Denmark make humane treatment of all animals a priority. Then Denmark will prove itself to be a great nation.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Susan Findlay-Nomura
Seattle, Washington USA
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