(NZ)Lions fed horse heads and body parts at zoo in NZ

[Guest guest]

(NB) One wonders where the zoo is obtaining the dead horse parts,

ex-race horses or

wild NZ horses or such? Sickening to say the least.

 

Kings meal a little too beastly

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2323705a10,00.html

12 March 2003

 

By ANNABEL SCAIFE

 

A group of architects witnessed more than they bargained for in the

lions' den at Auckland Zoo, on Thursday night.

 

They saw whole horse heads thrown to the lions by their keepers, who did

not realise members of the public were present.

 

The keepers did not know that Jasmax employees were enjoying a guided

evening tour as part of a corporate function. The enthusiastic group got

to the lions' den just in time to view the feed.

 

Jasmax receptionist and event organiser Shannon Simpson missed out on

the experience, but says it was " quite a talking point " among her

colleagues.

 

" They were a little bit sheepish about the whole thing, " Ms Simpson

says.

 

" To be honest, no one really cared. It was just like seeing them in the

wild. "

Auckland Zoo life sciences manager Glen Holland says horse heads aren't

given to the lions during daylight hours, for fear of negative public

reaction.

 

But the lions are fed various animal parts in the evenings. These

include heads and hooves, which have the bone matter needed in a lion's

diet, Mr Holland says.

 

" If it's at night and people see it, then there's not much we can do

about it. We need to cater for the animal. "

 

He says the keepers are wary of adverse reactions from New Zealanders,

but overseas zoo visitors are less likely to be offended.

 

" It's interesting that society would prefer to see lions eating a slab

of meat, rather than something they would normally kill and eat. "