Donated pets will be “gently euthanized” by trained staff and then used as “fodder” to take care of the well-being of predators, Aalborg Zoo said.

A Denmark zoo posted a request online asking for small animals, including chickens and rabbits, to be donated to feed larger predators. The zoo said its goal is to mimic the natural food chain. NBC News’ Gadi Schwartz reports as the request faces backlash online.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — A zoo in Denmark is asking for donations of small pets as food for its predators. The Aalborg Zoo said it is trying to mimic the natural food chain of the animals housed there “for the sake of both animal welfare and professional integrity” and offers assurances the pets will be “gently euthanized” by trained staff.