Leipzig Zoo Euthanizes Three Newborn Tigers
The Leipzig Zoo has faced criticism following the euthanization of three Amur tiger cubs, born to an inexperienced tigress named Yushka. The cubs, born on a Wednesday evening in late July, were the first litter for the tigress, but she refused to feed or care for them, leading to their weakened condition.
The zoo waited for two days in the hope that Yushka would accept her cubs, but when their condition continued to deteriorate and they showed no signs of active behaviour, a decision was made to euthanize them to prevent further suffering. Raising the cubs by keepers was not an option due to the zoo's breeding goals.
Animal rights organisation PETA strongly condemned the zoo's actions, filing a criminal complaint against Leipzig Zoo. PETA argues that senseless breeding programs should stop because Amur tigers do not belong in Leipzig and that captive breeding in zoos is ineffective for species conservation since the animals cannot be released into the wild. PETA and other animal rights activists consider the killing unjustified and emphasize that in the wild, tigresses almost always raise their offspring.
The zoo, however, defended its decision and reiterated plans to continue breeding Amur tigers. Jörg Junhold, the zoo director, stated that the mother's behaviour, while emotionally sad, is part of the behavioural repertoire of inexperienced mothers in the animal kingdom. The zoo claims its breeding programs are scientific and aimed at producing animals without malformations.
The Leipzig Zoo's decision to euthanize the cubs for feeding to predators has been defended as a "common practice," but this has sparked controversy among animal welfare activists. Around 60 people protested in front of the Tiergarten due to the killing of the baboons in July, which the zoo also cites as a lack of space issue.
Several European zoos, including Leipzig, have faced criticism for their handling of animals in recent times. The zoo in Aalborg, Denmark, caused outrage by asking for pet donations as food for predators, while the Nuremberg Zoo's killing of twelve baboons due to lack of space in July has been deemed legally questionable by some animal welfare activists.
PETA is demanding an immediate stop to the senseless breeding programs for Siberian tigers and believes that these animals have no place in Leipzig. The organisation has announced that it will file a criminal complaint against those responsible for the cubs' euthanization in the coming days.
References:
- PETA Condemns Leipzig Zoo for Euthanizing Three Amur Tiger Cubs
- Leipzig Zoo Euthanizes Three Amur Tiger Cubs
- Leipzig Zoo Defends Euthanizing Three Amur Tiger Cubs
- The Leipzig Zoo's decisions in health-and-wellness matters, such as euthanizing Amur tiger cubs and the feeding of predators, have sparked debates amongst mental-health advocates, including PETA, causing a wave of criticism and protests.
- In the realm of science, Leipzig Zoo claims its breeding programs for fitness-and-exercise animals, like Amur tigers, are aimed at producing healthy offspring with reduced malformations.
- Nutrition and care for young cubs at Leipzig Zoo became a concern as Yushka, the tigress, refused to feed or nurture her cubs, leading to their euthanization due to weakened conditions.
