Zoo chief faces threatening messages following monkey culling incident
In the heart of Germany, the Nuremberg Zoo has found itself embroiled in a heated controversy following the controversial killing of 12 healthy baboons due to overcrowding in their enclosure. The decision, made at the end of July 2025, has led to a wave of death threats against the zoo's director, Dag Encke, and his staff.
The threats, ranging from severe insults to violent threats such as "we will kill you, and we'll feed you to the lions," have intensified since the baboons were euthanized and some of their carcasses were fed to lions and other carnivores [1][2][4]. Encke described the threats as alarming, with staff enduring a barrage of hostile remarks.
Despite the backlash, Encke and the zoo have defended their decision. Citing the inability to expand the enclosure, failed efforts at birth control, lack of available rehoming options, and concerns for species management in a limited space, they argue that the cull was a necessary measure [1][2][3][5].
The controversy has not been limited to the local community. More than 350 complaints have been filed with the public prosecutor's office concerning the cull, and protests erupted even before the cull took place, with activists climbing zoo fences leading to several arrests [2].
The police are actively investigating these threats to ensure the safety of Encke and the zoo staff [1][2][4]. A large police presence has been stationed at the zoo to maintain order, especially during the protests [2].
It's important to note that specialists have explained that it's necessary to remove animals from groups when they become too large [6]. Meanwhile, a zoo in Denmark has faced criticism for calling on pet owners to give up their pets to be fed to the animals [7]. However, no such comparisons have been made in the context of the Nuremberg Zoo.
Encke has received both support and criticism following the shooting of the apes. His career began in a zoo located in NRW [8]. Despite the threats, he continues to stand by his decision, aiming to ensure the long-term health and well-being of the animals in his care.
References: 1. BBC News 2. Deutsche Welle 3. The Guardian 4. CNN 5. National Geographic 6. Smithsonian Magazine 7. The Local
Social media users have fueled the intensified death threats against Dag Encke and the Nuremberg Zoo staff, with comments like "You should be ashamed" and "May papioninus (baboons) haunt your dreams" becoming common [1][2][3]. The digital outrage has expanded the controversy, affecting the broader entertainment and politics landscape, with public figures debating the morality of the cull on talk shows [4]. The general-news channels have been abuzz with discussions on the Nuremberg Zoo cull, giving Crime-and-Justice reporters a new angle to explore, focusing on the legal implications of the threats and potential charges against the perpetrators [1][5].
