Cologne in mourning: Zoo has two lion cubs euthanized for animal protection purposes

Cologne in mourning: Zoo has two lion cubs euthanized for animal protection purposes

A tragic decision caused a stir at Cologne Zoo: two lion cubs had to be euthanized shortly after their birth. This measure was taken to spare the exhausted young animals unnecessary suffering. Mother lion “Gina” had difficulty caring for her newborns. Despite the hope that one of the babies could drink milk, the decision was difficult and was made after consideration by biologists and veterinary experts, as Welt reports.

The two animals, a male and a female cub, were born at the beginning of last week. Zoo management had hoped that “Gina” would take better care of the new babies after being separated from her older cubs, who were born in January 2024. This measure should help the lioness to better concentrate on the upcoming challenges of breeding.

Controversies surrounding breeding practices

The decision to euthanize raises questions, particularly regarding breeding practices at the zoo. Animal protection organizations such as PETA criticize this as “assembly line farming” and are calling for a rethink. They complain that the lioness “Gina” was forced to give birth again while the newborns have to be killed, which characterizes the zoo’s breeding policy as “irresponsible”. Thomas Schröder, President of the German Animal Welfare Association, sees the decision against hand-rearing as part of a marketing strategy and is calling for more space for bred offspring, since hand-raised lions often do not develop natural social behavior.

With regard to future litters, the zoo plans to have another lion cub born in the fall of 2024. It is argued that the older young animals will be more independent by then, which should increase the chances of survival of the new litter. However, criticism of the planned breeding cannot be overlooked, as many voices are calling for the natural development of the animals to be respected more.

Zoos in transition

In times when zoos are increasingly being scrutinized, it is important to also consider the context of zoological efforts. The days when animals were kept in bare cages and poor conditions are over in most countries. Sustainable practices, such as reducing water and energy consumption and effective waste management, are the focus of many facilities. Zoos position themselves not only as places for entertainment, but also as centers for education and environmental protection, as tierschutzvereine.de shows. This development is supported by international accreditations, such as those from the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), which certify commitment to animal welfare and quality.

Public opinion is increasingly influenced by social media and consumer wishes. More and more visitors are placing emphasis on clarity and sustainability, which will continue to shape zoo practices. Cologne shows how delicate the balance is between species-appropriate husbandry and the challenges of breeding, especially in light of this sad decision.

It remains to be seen how the coming months and the planned new breeding at the Cologne Zoo will go, while the discussion about the treatment of animals in captive environments continues.