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Gigantic feeding at Schwerin Zoo: Lions enjoy whole deer!
A unique whole-body feeding of the lions took place at Schwerin Zoo in order to promote species-appropriate animal husbandry and environmental education.
Gigantic feeding at Schwerin Zoo: Lions enjoy whole deer!
An extraordinary feeding took place at Schwerin Zoo on Saturday, which was an exciting experience for both the animals and the visitors. Two deer from our own population were presented to the lions as full-body prey. This special feeding method aims to promote species-appropriate animal husbandry and create a better understanding of natural processes in the animal world.
Whole-body feeding allows predators to fully process their prey - this includes skin, hair, innards and bones. This allows the lions to express their natural feeding behavior and train their muscles and senses, similar to how they do in the wild. Loud Schwerin local This ensures that the entire contents of the hunted animal are recycled and no part remains unused.
In addition, the zoo emphasizes the importance of transparency in such feeding. It is important to him to show visitors that the animal kingdom also includes aspects such as hunting and food webs. Children in particular are actively involved in these events as they often develop a realistic understanding of the natural relationships between animals.
Background on animal husbandry in Germany
Such feeding methods are not uncommon in German zoos. However, live feeding is prohibited by the Animal Welfare Act. Constructive animal protection measures are particularly important in organic farming. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute With the ÖKoTier project, the aim is to improve animal welfare in organic animal husbandry.
The project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Community, runs until June 2026 and aims to more efficiently record animal-related indicators to assess the well-being of animals on organic farms. It's not just about the housing conditions, but also about direct indicators such as behavioral problems and injuries. In order to further improve the living conditions of the animals, training courses for inspectors and a testing concept are being developed that are based on risk-oriented application.
The importance of animal-related indicators
Animal-related indicators play a central role in organic farming. Studies show their importance in monitoring animal welfare, as they can directly measure the animals' well-being. These indicators are used in particular by member companies of the AG Tierwohl, such as Bioland and Naturland. Annual controls and special testing criteria in the “Animal Welfare Inspection Guide 2025” are essential to ensure that the animals are kept in a species-appropriate manner.
Animal welfare control covers various areas, from nutritional status and care to animal health and the housing environment. In the event of violations, there are recommendations for action and possible sanctions for companies that do not meet their requirements. Here too, the quality and welfare of the animals in organic farming is upheld, as on Organic farming described.
With these measures and initiatives, Germany is showing that animal welfare is not just a buzzword, but can actually be promoted through well-founded approaches and transparent processes. The Schwerin Zoo and the organic farms are setting a good example to bring species-appropriate animal husbandry into the public eye.