A request from a zoo in Denmark for donated animals to feed to their lions sparked major backlash from animal rights groups and netizens, calling it disturbing.

But for people who’ve used the service, which zoos have been offering for years, it’s the most humane, and often the most affordable, way to dispose of large animals.

In one case, a 13-year-old girl chose to donate her sick horse to the zoo because she felt it adhered to a “circle of life” philosophy.

Aalborg Zoo in Denmark petitioned the public for large animals to feed to its lions

Last month, the Aalborg Zoo in northern Denmark posted to its Facebook account an appeal for animals that could be euthanized to feed to predatory creatures, like lions and tigers.

The post read in part: “We gratefully accept animal donations from

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