The zoo killed a healthy baby giraffe named Marius, and reportedly fed its remains to lions as visitors watched, while ignoring a petition signed by thousands and offers from other zoos and a private individual to save the animal; the facility claimed the killing was needed to prevent inbreeding.

On Monday, the rocker posted an open letter entitled "Marius", as follows: "Over the past week I've put out a few intentionally sarcastic tweets in response to the killing of the 18 month old baby male giraffe named Marius by the Copenhagen Zoo in Denmark. And in that regard I think that without more information or a better understanding of not just how this particular breeding program works or why it's believed to be necessary and seemingly without room for exception or public opinion... to the average person it would seem that...

1.) Marius could have been spared and was a waste of a healthy young animal's life.

2.) The manner in which he was if not euthanized then disposed of seemed particularly barbaric, unnecessary and a vulgar or grotesque display of inconsideration and complete disregard for public sentiments adding a level of morbid spectacle and horrendousness difficult for most to comprehend by doing so not just in front of but for what seems some misguided or twisted sense of educational purposes for children.

and... 3.) The seemingly cold and clinical responses and attitudes regarding this unfortunate event by those involved appearing to be somewhat defiant, arrogant and even seeming somewhat perversely satisfied with themselves and their actions going as far as to express "pride" in their decisions comes off as completely heartless in regard to the animals and seems extremely disrespectful toward the general public on this issue.