Marius (giraffe)

Marius was a male giraffe ( Giraffa camelopardalis ) who resided at the Copenhagen Zoo in Denmark. He was euthanized on February 9, 2014, at the age of 18 months, despite public outcry and offers from other zoos to take him.

The Copenhagen Zoo cited concerns about preventing inbreeding within the European giraffe population as the primary reason for Marius's euthanasia. According to their explanation, Marius's genes were already well-represented in the breeding program, and keeping him alive would hinder their efforts to maintain genetic diversity and prevent future health problems associated with inbreeding depression.

Following the euthanasia, Marius was dissected publicly as part of the zoo's educational program. This event was also met with considerable criticism and controversy internationally. The dissection was intended to provide visitors with a better understanding of giraffe anatomy and biology. Afterward, the remains of Marius were fed to the zoo's lions.

The case of Marius sparked a global debate about zoo management practices, animal welfare, the ethics of breeding programs, and the role of zoos in conservation and education. It also raised questions about transparency and public communication regarding difficult decisions related to animal management.