Zurich Zoo euthanizes 10 healthy geladas, sparking global outrage

Zurich Zoo has euthanized ten geladas, sparking widespread criticism from animal rights groups and the public. The decision was part of ongoing efforts to manage an overgrown troop, according to zoo officials.

PETA Germany responded by announcing plans to file criminal charges against the zoo's director, Severin Dressen, accusing the institution of killing healthy animals without justification.

The zoo explained that euthanization was a last resort after other solutions proved unworkable. Transferring the animals to other facilities was impossible due to a lack of available space—Zurich Zoo already houses 38 geladas, with six relocated to other European zoos in 2025. Building a new enclosure would only have postponed the issue rather than resolved it.

Birth control was considered but dismissed as a long-term option. Zoo officials warned that prolonged use could destabilise the population's genetic health and disrupt natural social behaviours. Reintroducing the geladas to the wild was also ruled out, as their species remains stable in the Ethiopian highlands, and such efforts typically require decades of preparation.

The euthanized geladas were not used to feed other zoo animals, as the method of euthanasia made their remains unsuitable. Instead, their bodies were donated to research projects. The decision triggered outrage online, with over 2,000 comments on a Swiss public broadcaster's Facebook post condemning the move.

PETA Germany condemned the zoo's actions, calling for a strict breeding ban. The organisation accused the facility of prioritising population management over animal welfare, despite Zurich Zoo's involvement in the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), which aims to maintain genetic diversity and social stability in captive populations.

The controversy highlights the challenges of managing captive animal populations when space and resources are limited. Zurich Zoo maintains that the euthanization was necessary to prevent future conflicts within the troop. Meanwhile, PETA's legal action could prompt further scrutiny of zoo practices across Europe.