Do All Zoos Euthanize Animals Like Marius, the Copenhagen Giraffe?

Warning: This post contains imagery that some readers may find disturbing.

A well-respected zoo in Copenhagen, Denmark, ignited criticism across the globe when officials there killed a young giraffe on Feb. 9 and performed an autopsy on the animal in front of a crowd full of children.

Zoo officials said Marius, the 2-year-old giraffe, had genes too similar to those of other giraffes in European zoos, increasing the likelihood for genetic disease in Marius' offspring, had he been allowed to breed. Other zoos and organizations offered to take him in and an online petition to save the animal generated around 30,000 signatures, but officials said they did not find another suitable living situation for Marius and that they were only following a recommendation by the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums when they decided to shoot him. Read more...