According to Zoo Zurich, the killing was necessary due to increasing conflicts and unrest among the 48 animals in the Semien Mountains habitat because of the clan size. ' The zoo emphasized that geladas are very social animals living in complex structures where breeding is important for their well-being and for preserving the population within the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP). Dressen added, 'At the same time, it is our responsibility to contribute to the long-term genetic stability of the gelada population in the European zoo community.
' The zoo stated that relocating the animals was extensively examined, and six animals were already given to another European zoo in the fall, but further suitable relocation places could not be found. Zoo Zurich described the killing as the 'last option'. The animals were selected very specifically after careful analysis of the harem structures.
The killing was the 'last option'.
' The killing was carried out in an animal welfare-compliant manner: the baboons were first anesthetized and then euthanized. Geladas live in harem associations, and in the Semien Mountains of Zoo Zurich, four harems currently live together in a large clan. The specific criteria used to select the ten geladas for killing have not been disclosed, and it is unknown how animal welfare organizations or the public reacted to the killing.
Only animals that do not or no longer contribute to the preservation of the overall gelada population within the EEP were killed.