Mom donates daughter’s pet pony to zoo as feed for lions – and she doesn’t regret her decision

A woman donated her daughter’s pony to a zoo in Denmark as feed for large caged animals and seems content with her decision. Aalborg Zoo had called for donations from pet owners and citizens since it opened in 1935. Due to a shortage of whole prey, the zoo had posted an appeal that encouraged mom Pernille Sohl to go ahead and donate Chicago 57, a German riding pony, suffering from severe eczema. While the decision may seem controversial, Sohl believes it’s for the best and serves a greater purpose, as she told The Times. 

“I gave Angelina the various options and she chose the one with the zoo because it made the most sense,” Sohl revealed. Her 13-year-old girl agreed it was the decision that would benefit other animals. The reality is, Chicago 57 would have been euthanized anyway due to his incurable skin condition. The horse has long battled eczema, which leaves him with open wounds every summer. To protect him, the horse owners used jackets and leg guards to minimize symptoms. However, Sohl eventually figured it was time for him to go. He was to be put down by a vet in 2020. 

Sohl gave her daughter the final say, and the young girl chose to donate him to the lions. “I got to say a final goodbye,” the mother recalled. Having donated the pony to one of Denmark’s biggest tourist attractions, she was impressed by the process and was keen on donating another. Back at the zoo, Chicago was gently euthanized by a bolt gun, and his carcass was given to the lions. Sohl’s second donation, however, did not end up in the cage of a predator, as it was too large to store in the fridge. Instead, it became a source of dog food for some days, per the report. “It might sound dramatic and bizarre, but they were going to be put down anyway,” she added. 

Aalborg zoo’s donation policy has received mixed reactions from all over the world. Although Danish people understand the “circle of life” and see it as a sustainable way to keep animals fed, rather than killing several more. In 2024, 22 horses, 137 rabbits, 53 chickens, and 18 guinea pigs were donated to the zoo, which were fed to the lions, tigers, lynxes, and other carnivores as whole prey. 

An Instagram post shared on July 31 outlined the zoo’s donation guidelines. While dogs and cats are excluded, eligible livestock that might otherwise be wasted are welcomed. “In zoos, we have a responsibility to imitate the natural food chain of the animals — in terms of both animal welfare and professional integrity,” a part of their elaborate caption read. In addition to Aalborg Zoo, Copenhagen and Jyllands Park, and other Danish zoos also run similar programs in return for a tax deduction. These programs ensure responsible feeding while reducing waste and supporting wildlife.