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Copenhagen Zoo Kills Four Lions Weeks After Marius The Giraffe Was Put Down

Copenhagen Zoo Just Can't Stop Killing Animals
Huffington Post UK
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The Denmark zoo that drew international condemnation for putting down Marius the healthy giraffe has now killed four lions.

Copenhagen Zoo euthanised two older animals and two cubs on Monday to make way for a new male.

The institution said: "Because of the pride of lions' natural structure and behaviour, the zoo has had to euthanise the two old lions and two young lions who were not old enough to fend for themselves."

Story continues after slideshow...

Copenhagen Zoo (GRAPHIC PICTURES)
Copenhagen Zoo(01 of11)
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A perfectly healthy young giraffe named Marius was shot dead and autopsied in the presence of visitors to the gardens at Copenhagen zoo on Febuary 9, 2014 despite an online petition to save it signed by thousands of animal lovers. Marius, an 18-month-old giraffe, was put down with a bolt gun early on Sunday, zoo spokesman Tobias Stenbaek Bro confirmed. AFP PHOTO / SCANPIX DENMARK / KASPER PALSNOV +++ DENMARK OUT +++ (Photo credit should read KASPER PALSNOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Copenhagen Zoo(02 of11)
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A perfectly healthy young giraffe named Marius was shot dead and autopsied in the presence of visitors to the gardens at Copenhagen zoo on Febuary 9, 2014 despite an online petition to save it signed by thousands of animal lovers. Marius, an 18-month-old giraffe, was put down with a bolt gun early on Sunday, zoo spokesman Tobias Stenbaek Bro confirmed. AFP PHOTO / SCANPIX DENMARK / KASPER PALSNOV +++ DENMARK OUT +++ (Photo credit should read KASPER PALSNOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Copenhagen Zoo(03 of11)
Open Image Modal
A perfectly healthy young giraffe named Marius was shot dead at Copenhagen zoo on Febuary 9, 2014 despite an online petition to save it signed by thousands of animal lovers. Marius, an 18-month-old giraffe, was put down with a bolt gun early on Sunday, zoo spokesman Tobias Stenbaek Bro confirmed. AFP PHOTO / SCANPIX DENMARK / KASPER PALSNOV +++ DENMARK OUT +++ (Photo credit should read KASPER PALSNOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Copenhagen Zoo(04 of11)
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Some 20 people demonstrate outside Copenhagen Zoo against the killing and of a perfectly healthy young giraffe named Marius on Febuary 9, 2014 despite an online petition to save it signed by thousands of animal lovers. Marius, an 18-month-old giraffe, was put down with a bolt gun early on Sunday, zoo spokesman Tobias Stenbaek Bro confirmed. AFP PHOTO / SCANPIX DENMARK / KASPER PALSNOV +++ DENMARK OUT +++ (Photo credit should read KASPER PALSNOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Copenhagen Zoo(05 of11)
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In full view of the general public a zoo vet carries out an autopsy on a perfectly healthy young giraffe named Marius who was shot dead and at Copenhagen zoo on Febuary 9, 2014 despite an online petition to save it signed by thousands of animal lovers. Marius, an 18-month-old giraffe, was put down with a bolt gun early on Sunday, zoo spokesman Tobias Stenbaek Bro confirmed. AFP PHOTO / SCANPIX DENMARK / KASPER PALSNOV +++ DENMARK OUT +++ (Photo credit should read KASPER PALSNOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Copenhagen Zoo(06 of11)
Open Image Modal
In full view of the general public a zoo vet carries out an autopsy on a perfectly healthy young giraffe named Marius who was shot dead and at Copenhagen zoo on Febuary 9, 2014 despite an online petition to save it signed by thousands of animal lovers. Marius, an 18-month-old giraffe, was put down with a bolt gun early on Sunday, zoo spokesman Tobias Stenbaek Bro confirmed. AFP PHOTO / SCANPIX DENMARK / KASPER PALSNOV +++ DENMARK OUT +++ (Photo credit should read KASPER PALSNOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Copenhagen Zoo(07 of11)
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The Lions in Copenhagen Zoo eat the remains of a perfectly healthy young giraffe named Marius was shot dead at Copenhagen zoo on Febuary 9, 2014 despite an online petition to save it signed by thousands of animal lovers. Marius, an 18-month-old giraffe, was put down with a bolt gun early on Sunday, zoo spokesman Tobias Stenbaek Bro confirmed. AFP PHOTO / SCANPIX DENMARK / KASPER PALSNOV +++ DENMARK OUT +++ (Photo credit should read KASPER PALSNOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Copenhagen Zoo(08 of11)
Open Image Modal
In full view of the general public a zoo vet carries out an autopsy on a perfectly healthy young giraffe named Marius who was shot dead and at Copenhagen zoo on Febuary 9, 2014 despite an online petition to save it signed by thousands of animal lovers. Marius, an 18-month-old giraffe, was put down with a bolt gun early on Sunday, zoo spokesman Tobias Stenbaek Bro confirmed. AFP PHOTO / SCANPIX DENMARK / KASPER PALSNOV +++ DENMARK OUT +++ (Photo credit should read KASPER PALSNOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Copenhagen Zoo(09 of11)
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(FILES) - Picture taken on Febuary 7, 2014 shows a perfectly healthy young giraffe named Marius who was shot dead and autopsied in the presence of visitors to the gardens at Copenhagen zoo on Febuary 9, 2014 despite an online petition to save it signed by thousands of animal lovers. Marius, an 18-month-old giraffe, was put down with a bolt gun early on Sunday, zoo spokesman Tobias Stenbaek Bro confirmed. AFP PHOTO / SCANPIX DENMARK / KASPER PALSNOV +++ DENMARK OUT +++ (Photo credit should read KELD NAVNTOFT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Copenhagen Zoo(10 of11)
Open Image Modal
(FILES) - Picture taken on Febuary 7, 2014 shows a perfectly healthy young giraffe named Marius who was shot dead and autopsied in the presence of visitors to the gardens at Copenhagen zoo on Febuary 9, 2014 despite an online petition to save it signed by thousands of animal lovers. Marius, an 18-month-old giraffe, was put down with a bolt gun early on Sunday, zoo spokesman Tobias Stenbaek Bro confirmed. AFP PHOTO / SCANPIX DENMARK / KASPER PALSNOV +++ DENMARK OUT +++ (Photo credit should read KELD NAVNTOFT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Copenhagen Zoo(11 of11)
Open Image Modal
(FILES) - Picture taken on Febuary 7, 2014 shows a perfectly healthy young giraffe named Marius who was shot dead and autopsied in the presence of visitors to the gardens at Copenhagen zoo on Febuary 9, 2014 despite an online petition to save it signed by thousands of animal lovers. Marius, an 18-month-old giraffe, was put down with a bolt gun early on Sunday, zoo spokesman Tobias Stenbaek Bro confirmed. AFP PHOTO / SCANPIX DENMARK / KASPER PALSNOV +++ DENMARK OUT +++ (Photo credit should read KELD NAVNTOFT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

The new lion will be introduced to the two resident females who are both at breeding age.

Chief executive, Steffen Straede, said: "The zoo is recognised worldwide for our work with lions, and I am proud that one of the zoo's own brood now forms the centre of a new pride of lions

The zoo caused outrage last month when it killed Marius the giraffe, dissected his corpse in front of a crowd full of children and then fed the meat to lions.

Spokesman Tobias Stenbaek Bro said the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria recommended the zoo put down the giraffe because there were already a lot of giraffes with similar genes in the organisation's breeding programme.

He said EAZA membership is not mandatory but most responsible zoos are members of the organisation, which works to conserve global biodiversity.

Ben Williamson from PETA, said: "For anyone who cares about lions, giraffes and all the other individuals serving life sentences in zoos, the latest killings should confirm that zoos are hideous institutions that do not deserve public support.

"The way to protect "exotic" animals is to donate to campaigns that protect them in their native habitats."

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