Giraffe fed to lions at Danish zoo

A young giraffe named Marius was put down at the Copenhagen Zoo on Feb. 9, 2014, despite an online petition to save it signed by thousands of animal lovers.

The Copenhagen Zoo turned down offers from other zoos and $680,000 from a private individual to save the life of the healthy 2-year-old giraffe before killing and slaughtering it Sunday to follow inbreeding recommendations made by a European association.

The giraffe was put down using a bolt pistol and its meat was fed to carnivores at the zoo, spokesman Tobias Stenbaek Bro said. Visitors, including children, were invited to watch while the giraffe was dissected.

WARNING: SOME OF THE FOLLOWING PHOTOS CONTAIN GRAPHIC CONTENT

Copenhagen

People look at the carcass of the giraffe, Marius, after it was killed at the Copenhagen Zoo, Feb. 9, 2014.

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People look on as a veterinarian holds a leg of the giraffe Marius while it was being dismembered at the Copenhagen Zoo, Feb. 9, 2014.

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A lions at the Copenhagen Zoo eats the remains of Marius, Feb. 9, 2014.

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Marius, who was killed and dissected in the presence of visitors at the Copenhagen Zoo on Febuary 9, is seen on Feb. 7, 2014.

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People hold signs during a protest against the killing of the giraffe Marius outside the Copenhagen Zoo, Feb. 9, 2014.

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People stand beside the carcass of the giraffe Marius while it was being cut apart by veterinarians at the Copenhagen Zoo, Feb. 9, 2014.

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Marius the giraffe lies dead before being dissected, after he was put down at the Copenhagen Zoo on Feb. 9, 2014.

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People look on as a veterinarian cuts apart the giraffe Marius after it was killed at the Copenhagen Zoo, Feb. 9, 2014.

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Children watch as Marius, a male giraffe, is dissected, at the Copenhagen Zoo, Feb. 9, 2014.

Copenhagen

The carcass of Marius, a male giraffe, is eaten by lions after he was put down at the Copenhagen Zoo, Feb. 9, 2014.