Several reasons are given for culling in zoos, including a lack of space, the genes of the culled animals are over-represented in the zoo population, the (young) animal might be attacked or killed, or the culled animals have contracted a disease.
[1][2][3] Mark Bekoff, an American biologist and ethologist coined the term "zoothanasia" to describe zoo culling.
The list focuses on controversial, unusual or otherwise noteworthy cases where the incident was reported in national or international sources.
The following is a list of animals where their culling and euthanisation in zoos and wildlife (safari) parks has been covered by the general media.
(Common name) (Taxonomic name) Kamala Tuan Tuan (panda) (Marius) (cubs) (cubs) (cubs) (including 2 cubs) Greater (flamingo) Debby (polar bear) Gus (polar bear) Snowflake (gorilla) Igor (walrus) Heidi (opossum) Queenie (waterskiing elephant) Midge the Sea Lion Kashin (elephant) Sam (koala) Babec Gemina (giraffe) Jenny (gorilla)