Zoo in Nuremberg: Execution of Apes Sparks Protests from Animal Rights Advocates, Activists Lock Themselves - Zoo in Nuremberg: Monkeys to be Euthanized; Animal Rights Advocates Lock Themselves in Response
### Nuremberg Zoo Baboon Culling: A Controversial Decision Sparks Protests and Debate
A contentious decision by the Nuremberg Tiergarten zoo to cull some of its Guinea baboons has sparked strong reactions from animal rights activists and raised ethical questions about the role of zoos in animal conservation.
#### Reasons for Culling
The zoo, which houses 45 Guinea baboons, has reportedly been struggling to reduce the size of the group due to overpopulation. This has led to social conflicts and injuries among the animals. Despite attempts to rehome the baboons, the zoo has been unsuccessful, partly because the animals are too closely related and do not fit into the European breeding program.
#### Reactions
On July 20, 2025, six activists from the Animal Rebellion group chained themselves to the baboon enclosure to protest against the planned killings. They argue that this action sets a dangerous precedent for other zoos to kill healthy primates in the future, which is seen as a significant setback for animal rights.
The protest reflects broader public and activist concerns about the treatment of animals in zoos and questions the ethics of breeding programs that lead to such situations. There are also concerns about the lack of alternatives explored, such as rehoming the baboons in sanctuaries that do not participate in breeding programs.
#### Implications for Animal Welfare
The planned culling raises several ethical questions about the role of zoos in animal conservation. It highlights the tension between the entertainment aspect of zoos and their claimed conservation efforts, as many argue that zoos prioritize profit over animal welfare.
If the culling proceeds, it could establish a precedent for other zoos to justify killing healthy animals for similar reasons, potentially undermining efforts to protect and conserve animal populations.
The strong public reaction and activism may influence future decisions on animal welfare in zoos. It underscores the importance of considering alternative solutions, such as rehoming in sanctuaries, and highlights the need for more transparent and ethical management practices in zoos.
An investigation is now underway against the six protesters for trespassing. The other five unlocked the locks after the police threatened to call in the fire department and charge them for the costs.
The zoo announced in February 2024 that it wanted to kill some Guinea baboons due to the group becoming too large for the enclosure, leading to increased conflicts. Emilia Schüler from the Animal Rebellion organization stated that the zoo's plan could set a precedent for other zoos to kill healthy primates at will.
The protest involves six people who have chained themselves in front of the primates' enclosure. The protesters initially refused to communicate with the deployed forces and did not comply with the zoo director's request to leave the site or use an assembly area outside the fence.
Despite the controversy, the visitor turnout at the zoo today is relatively manageable, according to a spokesperson. Cute baby animals are a magnet for zoo audiences, but many newborn, viable animals are killed as surplus animals.
This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing debates surrounding the treatment of animals in captivity and the need for zoos to prioritize animal welfare and ethical practices over profit.
- The culling of Guinea baboons in the Nuremberg Tiergarten zoo, despite controversies and protests, has stirred debates about the role of community policies regarding animal welfare in home-and-garden settings, highlighting the potential implications for pet ownership lifestyles.
- As the incident in Nuremberg Zoo underscores, the environment and ethics are crucial factors in rethinking the relationship between human communities and captive animals, from zoos to domestic pets, necessitating a shift towards more humane and sustainable practices.
