Zoo director in Nuremberg faces death threats following the slaying of a baboon.
The Nuremberg Zoo is currently under investigation for death threats against its staff, following the controversial euthanasia of 12 healthy Guinea baboons last week. The zoo defended the decision, stating that it was necessary due to severe overcrowding in the baboons' enclosure and the practice of feeding the carcasses to carnivores like lions, tigers, and wolves [1][2][3][4].
Background
The baboon troop had grown to around 40 individuals in a habitat designed for only 25, causing increased aggression and injuries. Efforts to rehome baboons in other zoos and to control population with contraception failed. Expanding the baboons’ living space was deemed unfeasible. The zoo publicly announced the planned cull in 2024 due to these constraints [1][3].
Protests and Criticism
Animal rights groups, including Pro Wildlife, strongly criticized the zoo's decision, accusing it of mismanagement and irresponsible breeding practices. Legal action was threatened, with over a hundred complaints filed alleging illegal killing. Activist groups such as Animal Rebellion have organized protests and set up camps near the zoo [1][3].
Death Threats and Investigation
Zoo staff received threats involving violent language, some explicitly stating they would "feed you to the lions." The zoo director, Dr. Dag Encke, described staff suffering from insults and threats, with police investigations underway [2][4][5].
The death threats reflect heightened emotions around the ethics and necessity of euthanasia in zoological management. The Vegan Network Nuremberg, an animal welfare organization, has distanced itself from the threats and any form of violence. The spokesperson for the Vegan Network Nuremberg emphasized that it is only concerned with protecting the animals [2].
Response from Animal Welfare Organizations
Animal welfare advocates expressed shock and dismay at feeding healthy animals’ carcasses to predators, labeling the practice as controversial and disturbing [1][3]. The Vegan Network Nuremberg considers death threats against the zoo's decision-makers to be the wrong way to go. The organization also condemns personal attacks and incitement of violence against zoo decision-makers [2].
Investigation
The Middle Franconia Police Headquarters is currently checking around 170 messages from all over Germany for criminal content. There have been "ten concrete death threats" against the Nuremberg Zoo's director, Dag Encke, which have been reported to the police. Some of the insults are directed against the deputy director, Jörg Beckmann [2].
There are countless unspecified death threats via social media, and hundreds to thousands of insults directed at Dag Encke and other zoo staff. Activists have had to endure abusive insults from passersby during protests in front of the zoo [2].
A video by a zoo visitor shows the euthanized baboons being fed to the lions in front of zoo visitors [1]. The Vegan Network Nuremberg animal welfare organization distances itself from death threats and any form of violence [1].
Conclusion
The death threats investigation at Nuremberg Zoo is a direct fallout from the contentious decision to euthanize baboons due to overcrowding and feeding their remains to carnivores, sparking fierce backlash from animal welfare groups and activists, as well as legal scrutiny [1][2][3][4]. Our editor warns that such action "could become common practice in the future".
[1] German Press Agency (dpa) report [2] Local Nuremberg newspaper report [3] Animal welfare organization press release [4] Activist group press release [5] Zoo statement on the euthanasia of baboons
- The controversial decision made by the Nuremberg Zoo to euthanize healthy Guinea baboons and feed their remains to carnivores has led to general-news discussions, including politics and crime-and-justice debates, as protests and death threats against the zoo staff escalate.
- Animal rights groups, focusing on the welfare of the Guinea baboons, have criticized the Nuremberg Zoo's decision regarding the euthanasia of 12 healthy Guinea baboons, which has stirred controversy in politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice circles due to the subsequent death threats against the zoo staff.
