Nuremberg Zoo under pressure: killing of baboons causes protests!

Nuremberg Zoo under pressure: killing of baboons causes protests!

The zoo in Nuremberg is currently the focus of an emotional discussion about the future of Guinea baboons. As br.de reports, the facility plans to remove individual animals that not only fall out of the oversized group, but could also possibly be killed. The social structure of the current herd size of over 45 animals has proven to be problematic, and the past measures to sterilize the females, which were only effective for three years, were unable to solve the problem permanently.

In fact, there were conflicts among the baboons, which is why the zoo decided to find a way to reduce the population. Director Dag Encke then announces that the killing of animals cannot be ruled out because the search for zoos that are willing to accept them has not yet been successful. However, the organization Pro Wildlife has already protested and is threatening criminal charges in the event of a killing.

Protests and legal backgrounds

Last Sunday, around 60 animal rights activists gathered in front of the zoo to protest against the possible killings. The Animal Welfare Association is also among the critics, pointing out the legal framework. According to the Animal Protection Act, all animals, including baboons, must be protected from avoidable pain and suffering. Violating this law could have both civil and criminal consequences, further complicating the zoo management's plans.

Animal protection legislation states that animals are viewed as fellow creatures and therefore cannot simply be killed without a “reasonable reason”. This could further complicate the situation for the zoo, as animal rights activists can act as direct observers and demand contracts or agreements with other zoos.

The seriousness of the situation

Although the zoo emphasizes that it is still possible to give the baboons to other facilities, there are currently no concrete offers. Two animal welfare organizations are supporting the search for alternatives, but so far without success. This fuels the discussion about the future keeping of Guinea baboons in zoos, whose population in the wild has already declined sharply.

Guinea baboons have lived in the Nuremberg Zoo since 1942 and are part of a European conservation breeding program. Killing them would therefore not only raise an ethical question, but would also jeopardize efforts to preserve this species in the long term and even perhaps one day to reintroduce it into the wild in its natural environment. The ball is now in the court of the Animal Welfare Commission, which will examine and decide on the next steps.

It remains exciting to see how the situation will develop and whether a solution can be found that meets the requirements of animal protection and also puts the welfare of the animals first. Until then, the zoo will continue to be under pressure from animal rights activists and the public demanding a humane solution.