"Not Enough Space": German Zoo Euthanizes 12 Baboons

A zoo in Nuremberg, Germany euthanized 12 baboons due to a lack of available space.

Photo of a monkey unrelated to the article content. Asia Economy DB

According to CNN on the 29th (local time), a zoo in Nuremberg, Germany, culled 12 baboons despite protests from animal rights groups. This measure came after months of controversy, as the zoo stated it lacked the capacity to accommodate the increasing number of animals.

In February 2024, Nuremberg Zoo had announced plans to euthanize some baboons due to a shortage of space. At that time, the zoo sought other institutions to take in some of the monkeys, but these efforts were unsuccessful.

This plan drew strong criticism and protests from animal rights organizations. On the 28th (local time), the zoo announced it would begin preparations for euthanizing the animals. On the morning of the 29th (local time), the zoo announced it would close for one day for operational reasons, without specifying the details. That afternoon, some protesters broke into the zoo but were arrested after resistance. According to the German news agency DPA, the zoo then announced that 12 baboons had been euthanized, but did not disclose further details. In response, animal protection groups stated they plan to file criminal complaints.

The zoo currently houses 43 baboons, far exceeding the enclosure’s capacity of 25, which was set when the facility was built in the late 2000s. The zoo stated that the increased population had led to more frequent conflicts, including dominance disputes and heightened aggression. In the past, the zoo attempted to resolve the issue by transferring 16 baboons to zoos in Paris and China, but those zoos had also reached their capacity limits. Previous attempts at birth control were also discontinued after failing to achieve the desired results.

It is not uncommon for European zoos to euthanize animals for various reasons. In 2014, the Copenhagen Zoo in Denmark euthanized a two-year-old giraffe and fed it to lions in front of visitors, sparking international controversy.