Marius, the Giraffe

The Copenhagen Zoo that killed a healthy two-year-old male giraffe Sunday morning said that they are a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, and that, as a member of the group, could not exchange, or sell, the young giraffe to any institution that does not belong to EAZA.  Several other zoos and a Wildlife Park in Yorkshire, England had tried to rescue Marius from death.  The Wildlife Park is a member of EAZA, but was told that since they own another older male giraffe that is closely related to Marius, their offer was turned down.  I was horrified to learn that the giraffe was killed with a bolt gun in front of a group of children, and, that as they watched, the giraffe was then butchered for feeding to the lions.

I had thought that Marius was killed by a bullet, when I read yesterday that he was "shot dead."  I assume the person wielding the bolt gun was practiced, as I haven't seen anything about a second shot... but, a bolt gun?  It is, essentially, a large metal bolt in a tube; pulling the trigger releases an extremely strong spring, which pushes the bolt forward.  The barrel of a bolt gun is placed against the victim's skull, and the bolt punches a hole through the animal's bone and back into the brain.  It is frequently used on horses and cattle.

I understand why a gun was used to kill the giraffe - medicines or poisons to kill it, or "put it to sleep," would contaminate the giraffe's body, and then it couldn't be used as dinner for the large carnivores - waste not, want not.  But the killer has to be standing next to the victim when a bolt gun is used, and that just disgusts me.  The animal trusts you enough to allow you into close proximity and you kill it.... ugh.

  Apparently the EAZA is becoming too good at breeding giraffes - if they have enough that they can kill them and feed them to other zoo inmates, shouldn't they look outside their membership for other owners and breeders?   -  One cannot tranquilize a giraffe when it is standing, as any fall can damage that incredibly long and delicate neck - so neutering the males is not a viable alternative - but, now, killing human-friendly animals because of their blood lines?  I just don't see it and I don't want the world to accept it, either.