Outrage in Germany as Nuremberg Zoo Culls 12 Healthy Baboons Over Overcrowding Concerns

Nuremberg Zoo in Germany has sparked outrage after culling 12 healthy Guinea baboons due to overcrowding, prompting protests, arrests, and renewed debate over ethical zoo practices.

A zoo in Nuremberg, Germany, has come under intense criticism after it culled 12 healthy Guinea baboons due to overcrowding in their enclosure, later feeding the carcasses to predatory animals housed at the facility. The controversial decision has triggered public outcry, protests, and renewed debate over the ethics of animal management in European zoos.

The Nuremberg Zoo defended the move, stating it was a last resort carried out in accordance with guidelines set by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). According to zoo officials, the growing size of the baboon group had led to serious welfare concerns, including increased aggression and instability within the troop.

However, animal rights groups have condemned the cull as unnecessary and inhumane. Seven activists were arrested during protests at the zoo over the weekend, with demonstrators accusing the institution of irresponsible breeding practices and failing to explore non-lethal alternatives such as relocation or sterilisation.

“This was not population management—it was a massacre,” said one protester. “Killing healthy animals because of space issues reflects a fundamental failure in planning and ethics.”

Critics argue that the zoo’s decision highlights a broader issue across European zoos, where similar cases of culling have occurred in recent years. In 2014, the killing of a young giraffe named Marius at Copenhagen Zoo sparked international backlash and prompted calls for reform in zoo management policies.

Nuremberg Zoo director Dr Dag Encke expressed regret over the necessity of the cull but maintained that it was the most humane option available under the circumstances. “Our responsibility is to maintain a stable and healthy group dynamic. Sadly, in this case, that meant making a very difficult decision,” he said in a statement.

The incident has reignited a contentious debate over the role of modern zoos and their ethical obligations. While many institutions argue that culling is a necessary part of managing populations in captivity, opponents contend that such practices undermine public trust and the educational missions of zoos.

Germany’s Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, which oversees animal welfare regulation, has not yet commented on the matter, but calls for an investigation and stricter oversight are growing.

As the controversy unfolds, it raises pressing questions about how zoos across Europe balance conservation, education, and ethical treatment of the animals in their care.