Baboons at Zoo Nuremberg set for lethal culling - Zoo Officials Contemplate Euthanizing Baboons in Nuremberg
The Nuremberg Zoo in Germany is currently grappling with an overpopulation issue among its Guinea baboons, a protected species listed as "vulnerable" in their native African habitats. The zoo, which is the only one in Germany to keep Guinea baboons, houses 43 of these primates in an enclosure designed for 25, leading to a crowded and unsustainable situation.
The zoo's director, Dag Encke, has suggested that euthanizing some of the healthy baboons may be the fastest and most humane solution to manage the population. This decision, however, has sparked controversy, with animal rights activists criticizing the zoo for failing to act promptly and for ignoring alternatives to killing the baboons.
The zoo had previously attempted to control the population using contraception for females, but this approach was abandoned due to its disruptive effects on the social structure of the baboon group. Potential alternatives, such as contraception, have already been trialed but found problematic. Other alternatives like relocating animals or expanding the enclosure do not appear to be currently considered feasible or actively pursued by the zoo.
Animal rights organization Pro Wildlife has threatened to file a criminal complaint against the Nuremberg Zoo if the baboons are shot. If this were to happen, the culled animals would be fed to the zoo's carnivores, and tissue samples might be provided for scientific research.
The Nuremberg Zoo, which has been keeping Guinea baboons for over 80 years, intends to continue breeding and keeping these primates. The zoo's website states that the population can form the basis for reintroduction if there are ever protected and suitable areas.
Conflicts within the baboon group have resulted in many monkeys suffering bite wounds. Despite this, the zoo has not accepted any transport offers for the Guinea baboons from influencers who have offered help.
The Guinea baboons are considered potentially endangered, with a total of 278 individuals in zoos of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria. The Nuremberg Zoo believes that maintaining a population of Guinea baboons serves the survival of the species, but the question remains whether this can be done humanely and sustainably within the confines of their current enclosure.
[1] Nuremberg Zoo website [2] Der Spiegel, 2021
- Despite the challenges in managing the overpopulation of Guinea baboons, the Nuremberg Zoo continues to support their lifestyle, with the hope that their home-and-garden can serve as a breeding ground for future reintroduction initiatives, provided there are protected and suitable areas.
- The Commission has not yet adopted a decision on the application of any alternative measures to address the overpopulation issue among Guinea baboons at the Nuremberg Zoo, such as expanding the enclosure or implementing new population control methods like contraception, due to previous issues with their disruptive effects on the social structure of the baboon group.
