Shall we follow the Danes?

I've used AI as it's quicker, but this is an overview

In UK zoos, some animals are given live feed (prey that is alive when fed), but this practice is tightly regulated by welfare laws and ethical guidelines. Live feeding is generally avoided in front of the public, especially with vertebrates, due to animal welfare concerns and public sensitivity.

Here’s a breakdown of what animals may receive live prey, under what conditions, and what types of prey are used:

🐍 Reptiles (Snakes, Lizards)
Commonly given live insects (e.g., crickets, locusts).

Occasionally live rodents, but usually pre-killed frozen-thawed mice/rats are used due to welfare concerns.

Live feeding of vertebrates (e.g., mice) is not standard in UK zoos and may only happen under exceptional veterinary or behavioral enrichment circumstances.

🦎 Amphibians and Insectivores
Frogs, geckos, small lizards, and similar species are fed live invertebrates like:

Crickets

Mealworms

Locusts

Waxworms

🐟 Aquatic Animals (Fish, Turtles)
Predatory fish or aquatic reptiles (e.g., turtles) may be given live feeder fish or invertebrates (shrimp, worms).

Still, pre-killed feed is often used in public displays.

🦅 Birds of Prey
Typically fed pre-killed animals (chicks, rodents), but sometimes live invertebrates (e.g., mealworms).

Rarely, live vertebrate prey is used for training or enrichment behind the scenes.

🦁 Big Cats, Canines, and Other Carnivores
NEVER fed live vertebrate prey in UK zoos.

Receive carcasses or pre-killed animals for enrichment and nutrition.

May get live invertebrates for enrichment (e.g., bears eating live insects in logs).

⚖️ Legal and Ethical Framework
Animal Welfare Act 2006 (UK): prohibits unnecessary suffering.

Zoo Licensing Act 1981 and BIAZA Guidelines: discourage live vertebrate feeding unless necessary and under veterinary supervision.

Summary:
Animal TypeLive Feeding Allowed?Type of Live Feed
ReptilesYes (invertebrates mainly)Crickets, locusts, rarely mice
AmphibiansYesSmall insects
FishYes (occasionally)Feeder fish, invertebrates
Birds of PreyRarely (insects)Mealworms, not live mammals
Big CarnivoresNoPre-killed only

If you're asking about public viewing of live feeding, it's not typically shown with vertebrate prey in UK zoos. Some zoos offer "feeding demonstrations" with dead prey or allow you to watch reptiles catching live bugs.

Have just read an article in daily Mail reporting a zoo in Germany fed 12 of its culled baboons to the lions… sounds gruesome yes but that’s the circle of life and we need to accept it… on a trip to our local safari park we witnessed the keepers feeding the big cats the heads of male dairy calves, was pretty traumatic but we humans need to face the bare facts of our dairy/food industry!

Having had to part with many pets at the end of their lives & feeling the sadness that accompanies this I am disgusted by the thought of a predatory animal eating any of my pets! Yes they may need food but not like this as how many animals are taken from the streets for this purpose? Stray dogs & cats, foxes, feral cats, cats allowed out & never coming home, rats, mice & other little wild animals would be taken without anyones knowledge. Sorry people but this is sickening when I think of my little girl cat that I had to let go a while back! Thank the Gods this did not happen to her!

Thank JaneJudge
That seem fine.

Asking for pets is quite different.

I was gazing at a view not far from here which is a Neolithic burial site, complete with flat stone where human bodies were laid out after death so that birds etc could consume the remains.

Perhaps we're more squeamish these days.

Sparklefizz

Shocking and horrible!! Plus I was shocked and upset by the item on the national news about people videoing themselves torturing cats. Horrendous! What is wrong with people???

I had no idea about this until I saw it on the news. However, it did worry me that other people that didn't know about it will now look it up or, worse still, worse still join in . I don't really think it should have been shown even with the warning.

Why euthanise? If zoos are trying to reproduce the natural environment they should feed their animals live "prey".

Oh really RSALAN2002 !!!
I’m
Far better to ban zoos, animals should not be kept in captivity at all, they could do their own killing for their own food in their own environment

Hideous

I really wish I had not seen this. Made me feel sick.

Do away with Zoos. Anyone keen enough will go and look at animals in the wild perhaps.

Desdemona

Do away with Zoos. Anyone keen enough will go and look at animals in the wild perhaps.

Many species are becoming extinct in the wild. The breeding programmes that zoos pursue are the last hope for some of them. And in this country they no longer keep them in unsuitable enclosures.

MayBee70

Desdemona

Do away with Zoos. Anyone keen enough will go and look at animals in the wild perhaps.

Many species are becoming extinct in the wild. The breeding programmes that zoos pursue are the last hope for some of them. And in this country they no longer keep them in unsuitable enclosures.

I agree, Maybee but not all zoos do this and some of the animals at this particular zoo are not endangered, although this zoo does participate in breeding programmes for endangered species.

I can understand trying to get zoo-bred animals prepared for the wild could involve encouraging them to hunt for live prey, but pets such as dogs, cats, horses?
That would not seem to be a good idea, they need to learn to hunt for wild animals, not pets. .

There was a Scandinavian Zoo a few years ago that lost a giraffe and did an autopsy of it in front of school children which was quite controversial.

Was on newsthis morning.The thought turns my stomach.. What type of person would actually do this? Beggars belief

Mollygrow - maybe we could send murderers, rapists & violent criminals instead :-)

MayBee70

There was a Scandinavian Zoo a few years ago that lost a giraffe and did an autopsy of it in front of school children which was quite controversial.

We dissected a rabbit in a school biology class, nobody fainted or became distressed, in fact most were very keen to learn.
On holiday in Equador we visited a typical family home who prepared lunch for us, Guinea Pig was on the menu we all tried some (no vegans) it’s rather like rabbit.

As for sending pet cats or dogs to the zoo to feed animals I really don’t think it will catch on in the UK

I am not sentimental about animals, but I would not engage in this.
It would also encourage stupid feckless people who buy animals, realise they need looking after and then go for the easy option of handing them to the zoo to be euthanized rather than looking for a good home for them.

Allira

MayBee70

Desdemona

Do away with Zoos. Anyone keen enough will go and look at animals in the wild perhaps.

Many species are becoming extinct in the wild. The breeding programmes that zoos pursue are the last hope for some of them. And in this country they no longer keep them in unsuitable enclosures.

I agree, Maybee but not all zoos do this and some of the animals at this particular zoo are not endangered, although this zoo does participate in breeding programmes for endangered species.

I can understand trying to get zoo-bred animals prepared for the wild could involve encouraging them to hunt for live prey, but pets such as dogs, cats, horses?
That would not seem to be a good idea, they need to learn to hunt for wild animals, not pets. .

The danish zoo is NOT feeding live animals to carnivores. The donated pets are humanely euthenased first. They are all pets that were going to be put down anyway.

Isn't the drug used to euthanize still in the body of the animal. Would that not affect the animal eating it?

rafichagran

I am not sentimental about animals, but I would not engage in this.
It would also encourage stupid feckless people who buy animals, realise they need looking after and then go for the easy option of handing them to the zoo to be euthanized rather than looking for a good home for them.

You could well be right. The animal care centre where I help out (only in the cafe, or exercising dogs) is often overwhelmed with unprepared for gifts or dogs, “Do you know how much kennels cost when we go on holiday?”

loopyloo

Isn't the drug used to euthanize still in the body of the animal. Would that not affect the animal eating it?

I was thinking that, too. I don't see how they can euthanise the animals using drugs.

Sounds like a wonderful idea. I have some peacocks for starters!!

butterandjam

Mollygo

Re the OP I wonder how much greater the outcry would be if this was seen as a solution to all the unwanted dogs and cats?

Try it another way; XL bullies could all be used to feed rare tigers.

Brilliant idea, include their owners too though.

SillyNanny321

Having had to part with many pets at the end of their lives & feeling the sadness that accompanies this I am disgusted by the thought of a predatory animal eating any of my pets! Yes they may need food but not like this as how many animals are taken from the streets for this purpose? Stray dogs & cats, foxes, feral cats, cats allowed out & never coming home, rats, mice & other little wild animals would be taken without anyones knowledge. Sorry people but this is sickening when I think of my little girl cat that I had to let go a while back! Thank the Gods this did not happen to her!

My dearly beloved cat died of old age many years ago and my husband buried her in a old green polyester pillowcase. 2 days later I found a hole where she had been interred and an empty green polyester pillowcase! Badgers.

The RSPCA euthanise healthy animals on a regular basis. We effectively do the same for our meat. If you have to kill an animal, I would prefer it to be used for something useful like food than wasted. We could never rehome our cockerels so they were used for animal food. Just because cats, dogs, etc are pets, it doesn't mean they can't be useful as meat.
That said, they are not having my dog or cats. They will die of old age or ill health so wouldn't make a good meal for anyone!

No, the RSPCA do not euthanise animals on a regular basis at all! That’s almost as silly as the OP saying veganism is a doctrine and that we vegans don’t want animals!