Surprising turnaround - Sanctuary instead of broken neck: 200 Limburg pigeons escape being killed
For a part of the Limburg city pigeons, a milder solution has emerged after months of turmoil regarding the planned killing of the animals: The animal welfare association Gut Aiderbichl has offered to take 200 pigeons from Limburg and let them live far away, so they do not return to Limburg, as the city announced.
"We will gladly accept this offer as a significantly milder alternative to killing", explained Mayor Marius Hahn (SPD). Representatives of the Limburg pigeon project stated that they had taken note of the city's announcement and would discuss it before commenting.
Majority of Limburg residents voted for pigeon cull
Most recently, a majority of Limburg voters in a citizen's vote approved the implementation of a city council resolution from November of the previous year, which called for the decimation of the pigeon population through culling.
The issue brought Limburg numerous negative headlines and hundreds of letters, the senders and recipients of which expressed their disgust, disappointment, incomprehension, and in some cases even threats. Reports indicate that such hostilities were also directed at Hahn himself, at honorary council members and councilors, as well as administrative staff.
New home for Limburg pigeons in Bavaria
The animal welfare association Gut Aiderbichl, which operates a series of animal sanctuaries in several European countries, has offered the city the opportunity to take 200 pigeons from Limburg and house them at one of their sanctuaries in the Upper Palatinate town of Eslarn, Bavaria. The city's responsibility would be to capture and care for the pigeons until their transport, which is planned in two or three trips.
Gut Aiderbichl would cover the transportation and accommodation costs for the birds, but the city would bear the costs for their capture and care until the transport. A new building is to be opened on the farm in Eslarn, specifically designed for humane pigeon keeping. "We are very happy that we can now give 200 of the Limburg pigeons a 'forever home' on Gut Aiderbichl", declared Dieter Ehrengruber, managing director of Gut Aiderbichl, according to the statement.
Hahn also expressed hope that "among the many animal and pigeon protectors who registered with the city since November of the previous year, some may also take in additional pigeons from Limburg as soon as possible". It was reported earlier that a census and calculation had shown that up to 700 pigeons live in Limburg. The declared goal is a population of around 300 animals, it was stated. Ideally, this could be achieved without their killing.
"The 200 pigeons being relocated from Limburg will find their new home in Bavaria, specifically at the Upper Palatinate town of Eslarn, under the care of Gut Aiderbichl."
"This generous offer from Gut Aiderbichl, located in Germany, aligns with Mayor Hahn's wishes for a milder solution, as many Limburg pigeons will now reside at Mercy Farm."
