People left divided after zoo allows visitors to name cockroaches after exes

People have been left utterly divided after a zoo allows visitors to name cockroaches after their exes.

The San Antonio Zoo, based in Texas, is giving people the chance to try out a whole new kind of relationship closure by naming a roach after an ex before feeding it to an animal on Valentine's Day as part of their annual Cry Me a Cockroach fundraiser.

So - how on earth does this bizarre thing even work?

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Well, the stunt will set you back a little over £7 ($10) and the non-refundable donation goes towards helping the zoo in its 'mission of securing a future for wildlife'.

After making the donation and submitting the name of your ex, you will then be sent a digital Valentine’s Day card showing your support for the fundraiser.

And it's not just roaches on offer as any disgruntled lovers out there can also name a rodent or a veggie after an ex, which will likewise be fed to animals at the zoo.

The San Antonio Zoo's official website explains: "Be part of the global sensation and ex-terminate your past and support a noble cause with the Cry Me a Cockroach Fundraiser.

"Symbolically name a roach, rat, or veggie after your ex or not-so-special someone and San Antonio Zoo will help squash your past, a true heartbreak healer, by feeding your selection to an animal resident.

"This fundraiser received international attention last year, this year, it promises to be even more sensational."

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Some people loved the idea, with one Instagram user asking: "How do you sign up of this? Asking for a friend..."

"Can I just bring my ex instead?" joked a second.

A third chimed in: "This is very therapeutic."

"Whoever thought of this idea needs a raise," praised a fourth, while another quipped: "The unhinged petty behaviour I’m here for."

Others, however, flagged some concerns with the fundraiser.

"I believe the roaches deserve better..." wrote one critic.

A second penned: "I hate cockroaches but this is cruel."

"And insult the roach? It deserves better!" claimed a third. "They're innocent creatures, don't name them by your ex's."

Someone else hit out: "People need to move on this is just weird."

"What a way to deal with your own unhealed trauma. Torture another living creature. Wow," slammed another

"Not the cockroaches!" echoed a final Instagram user. "I don't love them but they deserve better."

Tyla has reached out to San Antonio Zoo for comment.

Topics: Animals, News, Sex and Relationships, US News, Valentines Day

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from the University of Manchester in 2021 in English Literature. Alongside her studies, she was the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the largest student newspaper in the United Kingdom. Her favourite topics to write about include sex and relationships, bizarre lifestyle trends and all things travel.