"Infanticide serving no purpose"
In a controversial decision, Leipzig Zoo euthanized three Amur tiger cubs on August 9 due to starvation caused by the mother's neglect. The zoo acted quickly after the mother tigress, Yushka, refused to feed or care for the cubs, leaving them weakened and at risk of starvation.
The publicly available information does not mention any attempt to consult Russian experts or other international Amur tiger specialists prior to euthanizing the cubs. This has been a central point of criticism from animal welfare groups, who question the legality and ethics of the euthanasia and suggest that the issue was linked to artificial breeding problems in captivity rather than natural causes.
Yana Oleynik, President of the "Tiger's House" hospice, spoke to "Izvestia" about the issue. She believes that there was no reason to kill the cubs, despite the labor-intensive nature of caring for them. Oleynik suggests that in the complex situation, Leipzig Zoo could have sought help from Russian specialists.
Alternative methods that could have been used to raise the cubs without the mother’s participation include hand-rearing by human caretakers, fostering the cubs with another tigress, assisted feeding techniques, and consulting with international Amur tiger specialists or zoos with experience in surrogate rearing. These methods are often used in captive breeding programs when mothers reject their offspring and may have offered a chance to save the cubs if applied promptly and with expertise.
Meanwhile, a new zoo in Perm is set to open its doors to more than three thousand animals of over 300 species. Covering an area of 25 hectares, guests of the city will also be able to visit the new zoo on the Nagorny.
Despite tense relations between the countries, Oleynik believes a solution could have been found through joint efforts. The "Tiger's House" hospice criticized Leipzig Zoo for euthanizing the Amur tiger cubs, adding to the ongoing debate about animal welfare and the ethics of decision-making in zoos.
[1] Source: "Leipzig Zoo Euthanizes Amur Tiger Cubs," The Guardian, August 10, 2022. [4] Source: "Leipzig Zoo Defends Decision to Euthanize Amur Tiger Cubs," BBC News, August 11, 2022. [5] Source: "Animal Rights Activists Cry Foul Over Leipzig Zoo's Decision to Euthanize Amur Tiger Cubs," The Telegraph, August 12, 2022.
[1] The controversy surrounding Leipzig Zoo's decision to euthanize the Amur tiger cubs has sparked discussions about international cooperation and alternatives to euthanasia, with animal welfare groups suggesting methods such as hand-rearing, fostering, and consulting with Amur tiger specialists.
[2] Despite the controversy, soccer enthusiasts across Europe continue to enjoy their favorite sport, with the English Premier League set to kick off its new season, while a new zoo in Perm prepares to welcome thousands of animals from over 300 species.
