Perth Voice Interactive

RON D’RAINE’S “giraffe kiss” captured hearts worldwide when it featured on the front page of the West Australian 19 years ago, and people still clamour to buy the photograph that was taken at Perth Zoo.

But at Copenhagen zoo they feed their giraffes to lions, in front of primary school children, in the name of science.

Vision of young Marius getting his brain literally blown out with a bolt gun before being publicly dissected has shocked staff at zoos and wildlife parks worldwide, including Perth.

“Euthanasia is seen as an absolute last resort and only where an animal’s welfare is compromised,” CEO Susan Hunt says.

She says Perth Zoo is committed to the lifelong care of animals, even when they can no longer contribute to the gene pool.

“There are many instances of animals continuing to be cared for at Perth Zoo when they are quite old as we consider we have a strong duty of care to our animals.”

Euthanasia is seen as an absolute last resort and only where an animal’s welfare is compromised

She says Perth Zoo participates in planned breeding programs to help avoid the situation of having animals that are surplus to need.

Hate mail escalated this week as Danish authorities defended their actions and their right to kill animals deemed surplus to requirements. Officials have received death threats.

Marius was killed despite pleas by tens of thousands of online petitioners and offers by zoos and wildlife parks to take in the healthy 18-month-old giraffe.

A US billionaire even offered to buy the animal for his Beverly Hills garden.
Following an autopsy Marius’s carcass was butchered in front of school children and fed to the zoo’s big cats. Some was sent to researchers.

Copenhagen zoo’s scientific director Bengt Holst says giraffes are selected to ensure the best genes are passed down to ensure the species’ long-term survival.

There would be no outrage had they killed a pig or an antelope, he noted.

According to the European stud book for giraffes, which dates back to 1828, only five giraffes have been euthanised for conservation reasons.

Perth Zoo has four giraffes including Misha, whose kiss was caught on camera in 1995. Misha is approaching 24, Marama is 22, Armani (the only male) is 11 and Asali is 6.

(A giraffe called Tiny, born at Perth Zoo in 1942. was 31 when he died in 1973 of old age. Tiny was reputed to be one of the oldest giraffes in captivity at the time).

Facebook and youtube users have largely condemned the Copenhagen killing which can be viewed at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2555079/Danish-zoo-kills-young-giraffe-deemed-surplus-feeds-lions.html. Viewers are warned about the graphic footage.

“Crikey!” was the response from Australia Zoo in Queensland, where dead chooks are often fed to hungry crocs in front of audiences.

by CARMELO AMALFI