Animals - Sanctuary instead of killing for 200 Limburg pigeons
For a part of the Limburg city pigeons, a milder solution has emerged after months of planning to kill 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, as the city announced.
"We will gladly accept this offer as a significantly milder alternative to culling", 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 culling
Most Limburg voters had approved of a citizen's initiative to implement a city council resolution from November of the previous year, which called for reducing the pigeon population through culling.
The issue had brought Limburg numerous negative headlines and hundreds of letters from senders expressing their disgust, disappointment, incomprehension, and in some cases threats. The recipients of the threats reportedly included Hahn himself, volunteer council members, and city administration staff.
New home for Limburg pigeons in Bavaria
The animal welfare association Gut Aiderbichl, which operates a number 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 region of Bavaria (Germany). 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 transport and accommodation costs for the birds, but the city would be responsible for the costs of capturing and caring for the pigeons until their transport. A new building is to be opened on the farm in Eslarn specifically for the humane care of pigeons. "We are very happy that we can now offer 200 of the Limburg pigeons a 'forever home' at Gut Aiderbichl", explained Dieter Ehrengruber, managing director of Gut Aiderbichl, according to the announcement.
Hahn also expressed hope that "among the many animal and pigeon protectors who have 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 previously reported that up to 700 pigeons lived in Limburg. The declared goal was a population of around 300 animals, it was stated. Ideally, this could be achieved without their culling.
- The pigeons from Limburg will find a new home in Bavaria, specifically at the animal sanctuary of Gut Aiderbichl in the Upper Palatinate region.
- The SPD mayor of Limburg, Marius Hahn, welcomed the offer from Gut Aiderbichl to take 200 pigeons and relocate them to their farm in Eslarn, Hesse.
- The majority of municipalities in Germany, including Limburg, are affiliated with various political parties, with Limburg being part of the SPD.
- Gut Aiderbichl, a renowned animal welfare association operating in several European countries, has offered to housing pigeons from Mercy Farm (a possible interpretation of "Mercy farm" from the context) in Germany, not only in Bavaria, but also in other regions.
