A zoo in Denmark has sparked fury after it asked the public to donate their unhealthy unwanted pets as part of a unique effort to provide food for its predators. Aalborg Zoo shared a post on Instagram and its Facebook page asking for donations of live chickens, rabbits, and guinea pigs that “makes an important part of the diet” of their predators.

Posting on Instagram, the zoo explains it has a “responsibility to imitate the natural food chain of the animals” and smaller livestock “make up an important part of the diet of our predators”. The zoo explained: “In zoos, we have a responsibility to imitate the natural food chain of the animals – in terms of both animal welfare and professional in intergrity. If you have healthy animal that has to leave here for various reasons, feel free to donate it to us. The animals are gently euthanized by trained staff and are afterwards used as fodder.”

The zoo also accepts donations of live horses – with owners able to benefit from a potential tax break.

It says the food provided in this way is “reminiscent of what it would naturally hunt in the wild” – and that this is especially true for the Eurasian lynx.

Updating the caption of the post, the zoo wrote: “Due to much international interest, we have chosen to close the comment section on this post.

“We understand the post awakens feelings and interest, but hateful and malicious rhetoric is not necessary – and we urge you to preserve the good tone. We elaborate and are happy to answer questions in the inbox or by email.”

Aalborg Zoo houses several predators, including lions and tigers. Small animals may be donated during weekdays, with a limit of four per visit unless an appointment has been scheduled.

On its website, beneath an image of a tiger feasting on meat, the zoo outlines the criteria for donating horses. Eligible horses must possess a valid passport and must not have received treatment for any illness in the past 30 days. Those who successfully donate their horses may also qualify for a tax deduction.

In a statement, the zoo’s deputy director, Pia Nielsen, said its carnivores had been fed smaller livestock “for many years”.

She explained: “When keeping carnivores, it is necessary to provide them with meat, preferably with fur, bones etc to give them as natural a diet as possible.”

“Therefore, it makes sense to allow animals that need to be euthanised for various reasons to be of use in this way. In Denmark, this practice is common, and many of our guests and partners appreciate the opportunity to contribute. The livestock we receive as donations are chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, and horses.”