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Next to the corpse of Zeus, a 14-year-old male lion, a sign read
"The government kills animals" as surprised passersby took
photos and videos.
The zoo's owners blame the Agricultural and Livestock Service
(SAG), which required sedation in order to read animals'
microchips.
"SAG forced us to capture and anesthetize all of our animals to
read their microchips," said Cesar Chanampa, legal
representative for the Los Angeles City Zoo, about 470
kilometers (290 miles) south of Santiago.
"We told them that animals face the same risks from anesthesia
as humans do," Chanampa said. "They made us stain our hands with
blood."
SAG said in a statement that sedation is standard procedure for
the safety of the animal and personnel. "Unfortunately, one of
the animals that underwent this procedure died," the statement
added.
Chanampa said SAG should have more experienced and competent
employees so anesthesia is not required just for reading
microchips.
SAG said the protest violated the animal's dignity and that it
would consider taking legal action against the zoo, which it
accused of "inadequate handling of the animals."
The police cordoned off the area outside the palace and later
removed the lion's remains.
(Reporting by Reuters Televison; Writing by Natalia Ramos;
Editing by Alexander Villegas and Sandra Maler)
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