Zoo sends animals to research laboratory

A German zoo has now handed over two of its animals to a research laboratory. The justification raises serious questions.

Marvelling at exotic animals and experiencing them up close — for those who cannot afford a holiday in faraway places, a visit to the zoo is a good alternative. And in Germany too, numerous animal parks attract visitors, offering glimpses into entirely new animal worlds, from elephants to tarantulas.

But now a zoo in Germany is drawing attention not for its remarkable animals, but for a questionable decision. Its staff recently handed over two monkeys to a research laboratory. The justification for this cruel decision is staggering.

The animals in question are reportedly two male hamadryas baboons from Augsburg Zoo. They were recently transferred to the German Primate Center in Göttingen, a facility of the Leibniz Institute for primate research involving animal experimentation. As Augsburg Zoo emphasises, the two baboons are “not intended for use in animal experiments,” as quoted by “Tag24”. However, animal welfare advocates have their suspicions.

The association Doctors Against Animal Experiments» suspects that the baboons are to be used for breeding in Göttingen, and that their offspring will be abused, mistreated and ultimately killed in the most gruesome manner in scientifically pointless animal experiments».

It is repulsive that zoos and animal parks breed animals as visitor attractions and routinely ‘dispose’ of the ‘unwanted surplus’ like soulless objects — whether through transfers or killings. Such life-contemptuous practices are, regrettably, commonplace. Augsburg Zoo likewise demonstrates that it is concerned neither with animal welfare nor with species conservation. It is a disgrace that the zoo today hands over sentient beings for breeding purposes so that their offspring can be subjected to cruel and unnecessary experiments tomorrow. Such experiments are ethically unjustifiable and furthermore pose a danger to humans. We urgently appeal to those responsible at Augsburg Zoo to immediately halt the breeding of baboons. Furthermore, we demand a legal regulation requiring zoos and animal parks to disclose where and for what reason they transfer or sell animals.

Biologist Dr. Yvonne Würz, PETA’s specialist advisor for animals in the entertainment industry

The city of Augsburg also appears to be distancing itself from the zoo following the controversial incident. «The city of Augsburg, as a shareholder, expects the zoo management to be informed in advance of any developments that could damage the zoo’s image, and for the further course of action to be discussed jointly», said Augsburg’s environmental officer Reiner Erben (Greens) to the Augsburger Allgemeine. The supervisory board has been involved, and the city has announced drastic consequences for the future.

What remains unanswered, however, is how the German zoo justifies its drastic decision to transfer the animals to a research laboratory. Augsburg Zoo attributes its decision to tensions within the 55-strong group of hamadryas baboons, stating that these could be significantly reduced by transferring the animals.

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