Giraffe shot and dismembered in Copenhagen Zoo

Updated: 2014-02-10 14:41

(Agencies)

People look at the carcass of the giraffe Marius after it was killed in Copenhagen Zoo February 9, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

The Copenhagen Zoo went ahead with a plan to shoot and dismember a healthy giraffe on Sunday and feed the 18-month-old animal's carcass to lions - an action the zoo said was in line with anti-inbreeding rules meant to ensure a healthy giraffe population.

The giraffe, named Marius, was shot in the head and then cut apart in view of children, according to a video of the incident released by the Denmark-based production company Localize.

The zoo's plans had sparked an outcry from animal rights activists. A British zoo had offered to give Marius a home and even started an online petition to save the giraffe, gathering more than 25,000 signatures.