COPENHAGEN • A Danish zoo sparked outrage from an animal rights group by publicly dissecting a lion at an educational event for children.

Humane Society International spokesman Wendy Higgins accused Odense Zoo of "making a macabre spectacle out of a much deeper tragedy". She said it highlighted widespread overbreeding of lions and other animals at zoos.

Between 300 and 400 children, some as young as four, and adults were gathered for the dissection. Some held their noses as the dead animal was skinned and the stench of the cadaver spread.

The nine-month-old lion was put down in February after the zoo failed to find another home for it.

Public dissections are a regular occurrence at Danish zoos. A Copenhagen zoo also prompted criticism last year for putting down a healthy giraffe and cutting it up in public.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE