Edinburgh Zoo’s plans to host a second public animal autopsy, with members of the public being charged around £20 per head to attend, are attracting controversy.
The type of animal involved is not known at this time, but it is described as a ‘large mammal’.
After over a year of controversy at the zoo, OneKind was contacted for a view on the appropriateness of the event. A similar display, involving the autopsy of a cow during last year’s Science Festival, was criticised as insensitive and unnecessary - and this year’s announcement comes in the wake of an outcry over recent televised forensic examinations of animals, which have divided public opinion and led to complaints from viewers.
Libby Anderson, Policy Director of OneKind, said: “Of course vets and students need to know what goes on inside the animals they work with and for – and there are more and more virtual tools which are increasingly used in vet schools. But it is hard to see the value of a public dissection of an animal in front of a general, paying audience.
“This raises once again the question of commerce versus conservation in zoos. We all need to ask why wild animals are kept in zoos and whether conservation and welfare can be delivered more efficiently to populations that live free, in their natural habitat.”
It is believed that the autopsy, which is due to take place in mid-August when the Edinburgh Festival will be in full-swing, will be conducted on an animal from the zoo, although there is the possibility that the zoo will bring in a body from elsewhere. The autopsy is to be performed by a member of the zoo’s team.
As we said last year, OneKind always seeks respect for all sentient beings and that goes on after it dies.
What do you think about Edinburgh Zoo’s decision? We would like your views. Follow the conversation on Twitter and Facebook.
I am totally dedicated to animals , This to me is disrespectful to animals . If one of my animals did yes i would want to know what happened but I would not want the public to be viewing this with me.
It never ceases to amaze me just how low EZS are willing to stoop for the sake of money, very little of which will actually do anything to help animals in the wild.
In order to find more out about animals, then yes we should do autopsy to do so. This also helps those whom view it to understand animals much more and it could help them find a career in helping animals. I can see the cruelness but in the end its not like his other animal freinds get upset, I personly think that this benifits them more then it hurts them.