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.
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