Danish zoo kills four lions - one month after shooting giraffe

Copenhagen zoo has sparked more outrage by killing two lions and their two cubs to make way for a new male - just a month after they put down 18-month-old Marius the giraffe and and fed him to lions in front of an audience of children.

According to the Guardian, the four lions were euthanised on Monday after the zoo failed to find a new home for them.

The 16-year-old male and 14-year-old female were nearing the end of their natural lives in captivity, reports the BBC.

The BBC also reports that the zoo asked other parks to take the 10-month-old cubs, but received no offers.

"Because of the pride of lions' natural structure and behaviour, the zoo has had to euthanise the two old lions and two young lions who were not old enough to fend for themselves," Copenhagen zoo said.

The 10-month-old lions would have been killed by the new male lion "as soon as he got the chance", it said.

The new male will soon be introduced to the zoo's two female lions, who have reached breeding age.

The zoo's chief executive, Steffen Straede, said: "The zoo is recognised worldwide for our work with lions, and I am proud that one of the zoo's own brood now forms the centre of a new pride of lions."

Animal lovers worldwide will no doubt be shocked and angry by the zoo's decision to kill more healthy animals.

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