Understanding Zoos

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A verdict of the district court of Magdeburg and its confirmation by the regional appeal court of Naumburg amount to a categorical ban on the euthanasia of surplus zoo animals, even if they are born in the scope of a conservation breeding programme. Based on a comprehensive consideration of ethical, legal and zoo-biological arguments and also taking the public acceptance into account, the authors arrive at the conclusion that in substantiated exceptions the killing without fright and pain – and the subsequent use as food – does not conflict with moral and legal norms. However, such a solution should only be tolerated on condition of comprehensively species-appropriate husbandry, which by definition includes the possibility of propagation.