Zoo director in Görlitz defends controversial animal killings!

Zoo director in Görlitz defends controversial animal killings!

The controversies surrounding animal husbandry in German zoos never end. Recently, the killing of twelve baboons in Nuremberg Zoo caused nationwide outrage. A protest camp in front of the zoo and death threats against the director have caused outrage. These difficulties are reminiscent of the recent events at the Leipzig Zoo, where three Siberian tiger cubs were euthanized on August 10, 2025 due to the mother's negligence. The animal protection organization Peta has already announced that it will take legal action against those responsible for the zoo because it criticizes the practice of killing cubs as unethical and calls for a halt to the breeding programs for Siberian tigers. This is seen as a serious problem at Peta, as the connection between zoo management and animal welfare is repeatedly questioned n-tv.

Zoo director Jörg Junhold explained that the behavior of the inexperienced tiger mother Yushka was not unusual. After initial care, she distanced herself from the young animals, who showed significant signs of weakness and hypothermia after just two days. The zoo was therefore faced with the decision to euthanize the tiger cubs and save them from suffering through starvation. This situation has reignited the discussion about the treatment of animals in captivity. PETA describes the rejection of young animals by animal mothers as a result of breeding practices in zoos, which calls into question the effectiveness of these programs Saxon.

Voices from the Görlitz Zoo

In the debate about the killing of animals, Sven Hammer, the zoo director in Görlitz, shows himself to be a courageous supporter of the decisions in Nuremberg. He said that the Görlitz Zoo would also take similar steps in comparable situations. “As humans, we bear responsibility for the extinction of many animal species,” emphasizes Hammer. Zoos should be involved in species conservation and can only receive approval if they are committed to these goals.

The Görlitz Zoo is actively involved in global breeding programs for endangered species. Hammer emphasizes that human intervention is sometimes necessary when natural population mechanisms no longer work. This philosophy also shares Endowment for Species Protection, which follows the One Plan approach. This recognizes ex situ and in situ populations as equivalent management units and places a clear focus on improving biological diversity and safeguarding ecosystems and species.

Perspectives for the future

The discussion about keeping animals in zoos is being driven forward by ongoing criticism from animal protection organizations such as Peta and experts from the Endowment for the Protection of Species. The foundation emphasizes that its activities are aimed not only at animal husbandry, but also at creating social perspectives and involving the local population in decision-making processes in nature conservation. With a clear focus on sustainable management and internationally recognized guidelines, the foundation wants to address the challenges in animal protection together with various partners.

It remains to be seen how the discussion about the killing of animals in zoos will continue and what consequences this could have for future breeding programs and the role of zoos in species conservation. One thing is certain, however: it is high time for a rethink in how we treat animals under human care. The voice of animal protection organizations is becoming increasingly louder and shows that this discussion is about much more than just zoopolitical decisions.