In February 2014, on a Sunday morning, 18-month-old giraffe Marius was killed at Copenhagen zoo. He was given a lethal injection to the head by zoo veterinarians after enjoying a breakfast of rye bread. His body was then dismembered in front of zoo visitors, including children, and fed to the lions in the zoo.
Marius was not sick or dangerous. The reason given for his death was that his genes were too common to be useful for breeding. The zoo’s scientific director, Bengt Holst, explained that preventing inbreeding was essential for maintaining a healthy giraffe population in European zoos.
The killing of Marius caused outrage around the world. People protested outside the zoo, and Holst received hate mail and death threats for his decision. The incident was widely covered in the media, with some comparing the zoo’s actions to those of Nazi Germany.
Despite offers from various organizations and individuals to take in Marius, including Yorkshire Wildlife Park and Hollywood producers, the zoo rejected them all.
A documentary called Life and Other Problems, directed by Max Kestner, explores the ethical dilemmas surrounding Marius’s death. The film does not pass judgment on whether the killing was right or wrong, but instead delves into the complex relationship between humans and animals.
Kestner’s exploration leads him to question the double standard in how we value human life over animal life. He challenges the idea that human consciousness makes us superior to other species, pointing out that many animals exhibit signs of consciousness.
The documentary suggests that interconnectedness and relationships are crucial to understanding life, not just survival of the fittest. Scientists interviewed in the film emphasize the importance of all living beings in the web of life.
Life and Other Problems invites viewers to consider the complexity of life and the interconnectedness of all living beings. The film raises important questions about our treatment of animals and the ethical considerations surrounding their existence.