Marius The Giraffe Killed By The Copenhagen Zoo Despite Online Petition And Zoo Offers

A healthy young giraffe named Marius was euthanized by the Copenhagen Zoo despite an online petition and offers from other zoos and institutions to house the animal. According to the zoo, the euthanization was in accordance with policies of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria in order to prevent inbreeding in the giraffe population. The zoo's decision has been denounced by animal rights groups who have called the practice "unethical."