Leipzig Zoo culls antelopes amid controversial overcrowding
In one of the most beautiful zoos in Europe, the Leipzig Zoo in Germany, the authorities took a surprising step. Due to overcrowding in the antelope enclosure, they decided to cull four animals.
According to the German publication Bild, the zoo authorities took this drastic step to manage the entire herd's population.
Unfortunately, no other zoo was found to take the four animals beforehand.
Because there was no more space at the Leipzig facility, it was decided that a male and three females would be culled. The culling occurred on Friday, January 18. However, culling surplus animals in zoos raises significant controversy.
Zoo authorities explained that despite their attempts, they were unable to transfer the surplus animals to another institution through the European Endangered Species Program (EEP). Therefore, a committee consisting of animal keepers and the zoo director made this difficult decision, which outraged many.
Animal rights activists straightforwardly call this situation a violation of animal rights. However, the opposing side also has its arguments.
Proponents of euthanizing healthy animals in zoos argue that these animals do not have natural predators, always have enough food, and often live longer than in the wild thanks to medical care.
Fearing controversy, the zoo did not disclose the details of the employee who euthanized the animals. As the German publication Bild notes, this is not the first instance at the Leipzig Zoo where healthy animals are culled.
In 2023, it was revealed that a zebra stallion was killed there because it was no longer needed for further breeding.