**PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES**<br/> <br />Ignoring a storm of criticism from animal rights activists...the Copenhagen zoo goes though with its plan to kill and butcher a young healthy giraffe, named Marius.<br/> <br />The zoo defended its decision, saying the 18-month-old giraffe had to be put down because of a lack of space.<br/> <br />It says it also had to comply with rules on in-breeding to ensure a healthy giraffe population.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Danish) VETERINARIAN, MADS BERTELSEN, SAYING:<br/> <br />"This giraffe walked out here at quarter past nine, it was let out into its yard over there. Then there was a zookeeper with some rye bread. It really likes rye bread, and he said 'here you go Marius, here is some rye bread'. I stood behind with a rifle, and when he put his head forward and ate the rye bread, then I shot him through the brain. It sounds violent, but it means that Marius had no idea of what was coming. He got his bread, then he died."<br/> <br />Graphic handout video from t
