Animals - Animal welfare activists take a critical view of the pigeon sanctuary solution
Plans for relocating around 200 pigeons from Limburg to a sanctuary in Bavaria instead of their culling draw criticism from animal welfare activists. The German Animal Welfare Federation considers that simply removing the pigeons from the city is not enough, as the population will quickly rebound.
Animal Welfare Federation calls for egg exchange
The Animal Welfare Federation therefore continues to hold the city responsible for establishing pigeon management with an egg exchange. This is the only humane and sustainable solution for humans and animals, according to the Federation. In this method, the eggs of pigeons are removed and replaced with dummy eggs.
"At the same time, thought must be given to the chicks of the captured birds, as they will be left alone in their nests without their parents and will suffer and perish," so the Animal Welfare Federation. It should also not be the case that cities in the future leave their unwanted pigeons with animal and pigeon shelters while they absolve themselves of all responsibility.
Furthermore, the captured pigeons must spend the rest of their lives in an aviary. The Animal Welfare Federation also renewed its offer to support the city of Limburg in establishing a pigeon concept.
Majority of Limburgers voted for pigeon culling
Plans for a reduction of the pigeon population through culling in Limburg have been a topic of discussion for months. At a citizen vote, the Limburg electorate had expressed a majority in favor of implementing a corresponding city council resolution.
However, the city now favors a milder solution and announced on Monday that the animal welfare community Gut Aiderbichl had offered to take in and house around 200 pigeons from Limburg at one of their farms in Upper Palatinate, Germany (Bavaria). "We will gladly accept this offer as a significantly milder alternative to culling," Limburg's mayor Marius Hahn (SPD) stated.
- Animal rights activists in North Rhine-Westphalia have expressed their concerns about the relocation of pigeons from Limburg, stating that it does not address the underlying issue of population growth.
- The mercy farm in Bonn, operated by the Animal Welfare Association of Germany, has suggested an alternative solution for managing the pigeon population, emphasizing the importance of considering the welfare of the chicks left behind.
- Bavaria and Hesse have already implemented successful egg exchange programs for pigeon population control, and the Animal Welfare Federation encourages Limburg to follow suit as a more humane and sustainable solution.
- In response to the opposition to culling, the city of Limburg has decided to explore a partnership with the animal and pigeon shelter Gut Aiderbichl in Bavaria, transferring around 200 pigeons for a more compassionate solution.
- Despite the criticism from some municipalities in Germany, relocating unwanted pigeons to specialized sanctuaries like the one in Limburg's proposed destination may represent a viable option for reducing conflicts between humans and avian populations.
- The Animal Welfare Federation has reiterated its support for Limburg's efforts to find a humane solution, reminding cities across Germany of their responsibility to address the issue of pigeon overpopulation in a considerate and sustainable manner.
