Zoo's latest oddity: birth of tiger cubs follows baboon phenomenon
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Amur tiger cubs born at Leipzig Zoo have been euthanized due to their mother's lack of care. This is the first litter for tiger Yushka, who, despite being inexperienced, turned away from her cubs a few hours after birth.
Over the course of two days, the cubs became increasingly weaker, not showing active behavior, which led to no stimulus for care or milk production in the mother. Veterinarian Andreas Bernhard explained that the decision to euthanize the cubs was made to spare them from suffering through starvation.
This incident marks another animal death report from German zoos, following the news of several baboons being killed at the Nuremberg Zoo for space reasons. The controversy surrounding these euthanasia cases has sparked intense public controversy and legal challenges.
The Nuremberg Zoo's decision to euthanize healthy animals, specifically the killing of 12 healthy Guinea baboons in July 2025 due to overcrowding, has been met with fierce backlash from animal rights groups. Critics argue that allowing uncontrolled breeding does not justify culling and demand accountability from zoo management.
The Zoo Director, Jörg Junhold, stated that the mother's behavior, while sad from a human perspective, is part of the animal world. Despite this, the zoo intends to continue attempting to breed with Amur tiger Yushka in the future to contribute to the preservation of the species.
The controversy arises from ethical and legal questions about culling healthy animals due to space constraints, perceived lack of long-term solutions, and disputes over adherence to animal welfare regulations. The Nuremberg Zoo, in particular, has become emblematic of this debate after its recent euthanasia incident spurred public outcry and legal challenges.
In other news, the MOPO Weekly is available from Friday, featuring topics such as Hamburg's Gen Z, a block trial, seven dead cyclists, Wandsbek, a large puzzle supplement, 20 pages of sport, and 20 pages of Plan7, including a visit from pop star Ronan Keating to the city park. Meanwhile, the city is reacting to a NABU warning regarding a cemetery becoming a death trap. (dpa/mp)
"Despite the heartbreaking events at Leipzig Zoo, Amur tiger Yushka's inexperience leading to the euthanization of her cubs, the MOPO Weekly still includes 20 pages of sports updates, showcasing a different side of the animal kingdom."
"Unlike the controversial euthanasia cases in German zoos, the public debate over sports often focuses on the thrill and competition, rather than the ethical implications of animal care and welfare."
