German zoo plans on feeding some animals to others as revenues decline amid virus pandemic

BERLIN: Due to disrupted supply chains and declining revenues as the coronavirus pandemic sweeps across the world, a German Zoo has taken the drastic measure of turning some of its residents into food for others.

• 
  

According to a news report published by CNN on Thursday, if the coronavirus lockdown continues, the financial situation of the zoo will become so dire that it would be realistic for it to resort to a new plan.

Under the plan, the Neumünster Zoo in northern Germany will have to consider slaughtering some of its zoo animals to feed others, the report published by the American publication claimed. 

The Neumünster Zoo, home to more than 70 animals and more than 100 species, has drafted an emergency plan listing which animals would be euthanised to cut costs, and in what order, the report added.

Though it's unclear which animals would be slaughtered first, a polar bear named Vitus – which stands nearly 12 feet tall – would be the last animal to go, Zoo director Verena Kaspari said.

If – and this is really the worst, worst case of all -- if I no longer have any money to buy feed, or if it should happen that my feed supplier is no longer able to supply due to new restrictions, then I would slaughter animals to feed other animals,the director added.

The zoo management lamented that they would rather euthanise the zoo animals than have them starve, as their last resort. According to the report, the Association of Zoological Gardens, a Berlin-based zoo association has also become involved.

In a letter to the country's government, the organisation said that many of the animals in its member zoos are endangered species and a part of international conservation breeding programs.

The association noted that unlike other facilities, zoos can't shut down or limit operations to cut down on losses. Animals still have to be fed and cared for, often an expensive endeavor.

Germany’s confirmed coronavirus cases have risen by 2,866 to 130,450, data from the Robert Koch Institute RKI for infectious diseases showed on Thursday, meaning the number of new infections rose for a second consecutive day. The reported death toll has risen by 315 to 3,569, the tally showed.