Disposal of zoo animal carcasses.

[Andyvon]

Yes - this sounds a morbid question doesn't it! But it's something that's puzzled us for some time.

My wife and I have just made our umpteenth visit to Monkey World as my wife has 'adopted' an orangutan (it's not a matter of her having got to know all the monkeys by now - I think they've all got to know her!). We also travel a lot and we try to visit zoos and animal parks wherever we go.

One question that came up again at Monkey World is how do zoos and animal parks dispose of animals that have died? Smaller animals such as monkeys and snakes are probably no problem - but what about large animals such as giraffes, rhinos and elephants? It must be quite a feat of logistics involving cranes and lorries to remove a dead elephant . Then what do they do with the carcass?

Are there specialised companies who deal with the removal of dead exotic animals or is it done by the same companies who deal with farm animals? We have also decided that these animals are probably cremated but even that must be quite a procedure. Is there a crematorium large enough or does someone cut them up first?

We started to wonder about this when we visited Lisbon Zoo in Portugal some time back. They have a pet cemetery which occupies a terraced hillside inside the zoo grounds. It's where local people can bury their beloved pets and there are hundreds of graves of dogs, cats, parrots etc. Many are like miniature human graves with coloured stones, engraved headstones and photos of the pet. There are no zoo animals there though and it was that which started us thinking about where zoos dispose of their animals.

Sorry if this is an odd query but we have never felt comfortable about asking the question in the zoos. Does someone know what happens please as it will be interesting to know?

Thanks in anticipation.

[graphicate]

This may give you a little insite,
http://www.elephantcare.org/protodoc_files/new %2006/ElephNecropsy2005.pdf
Not an easy task judging by this.

[wildwood]

I always thought that once the cause of death was established, the bigger animals were usually mounted/stuffed by the nearest museum and put on display. That would make sense to me. A bit of a waste cremating them.

[woofgang]

I don't think that museums want them unless the animal is particularly notable or famous. preserved skins and animals are not as popular with the public as they used to be (undestatement)

[Noweia]

Whole carcases of zoo and circus animals are classed as a Category 1 (high risk) Animal By Product and therefore should be incinerated. Exceptions are made for taxidermy and education. The only animal in the UK that are allowed to be buried are pet animals.

The carcases are either incinerated on site, or removed by a contractor to a collection centre for incineration. As for moving the carcases, many lorries for fallen stock collection have cranes or winches that are capable of lifting or pulling a couple of tons. An elephant might pose a problem, but as long as the contractor knew in advance, they would be able to send a big enough lorry.

Hope this answers your question!

[shylock73]

I always thought they were cut up and fed to lions, Tigers, etc, etc. to help keep down costs, and why not?

[Noweia]

That's not allowed either, shylock73! Animal byproducts from Categories 2 and 3 can be fed to zoo animals, but zoo animals themselves are category 1 once they die, and so can't be fed back to fellow zoomates.

[Andyvon]

Yes, you have answered our question fully Noweia and thank you very much. I know it might be a curious question but my wife and I have wondered about it for some time.

We thought the animals probably were removed as they never seem to be buried on site and that they would be incinerated. We are pleased to to know though.

Thanks everyone else too!