Second giraffe called Marius faces euthanasia in Denmark
Days after the euthanasia of a healthy young giraffe at Copenhagen zoo sparked controversy around the world, a second Danish zoo has announced it is considering a similar fate for another giraffe - also named Marius.
If you are a giraffe and your name is Marius, now might be a good time to leave Denmark.
Days after the euthanasia of a healthy young giraffe at Copenhagen zoo sparked controversy around the world, a second Danish zoo has announced it is considering a similar fate for another giraffe - also named Marius.
If we are told that we have to euthanise Marius, we would do that
Jyllands Park zoo, in western Denmark, currently has two male giraffes, but has been approved to participate in the European breeding programme.
If zookeepers acquire a female giraffe, seven-year-old Marius will have to make way.
Like his namesake in Copenhagen, the giraffe is considered unsuitable for breeding, and the zoo said there was a high risk that Marius would have to be put down as it would be difficult to find him a new home.
Janni Lojtved Poulsen, zookeeper at Jyllands Park, said it was not clear when the park would acquire a female giraffe and that the decision on Marius' future would be taken by the breeding programme co-ordinator.
But she added: "If we are told that we have to euthanise Marius we would, of course, do that."