Limburg in Hesse is taking drastic measures to tackle its "pigeon problem." The city council has decided to hire an expert to cull an estimated 700 to 1000 city pigeons by luring them into traps and breaking their necks by hand. This radical solution is intended to combat the damage caused by corrosive pigeon droppings to certain historic buildings in the city.
The plan has sparked controversy, with animal rights activists branding city councilors as "animal murderers." Despite protests and criticism from the Greens party, the council has stated that other, gentler methods, such as pigeon houses or special cleaning solutions, have been deemed too costly or ineffective.
Hunters in a nearby town have suggested using push-automatic traps to humanely capture the pigeons, but the city council has yet to consider this option. Some bird enthusiasts propose cleaning the droppings with specialized solutions, maintaining the pigeon population without resorting to their elimination.
Alternatively, non-lethal methods have been proven effective in managing pigeon populations and preserving historic buildings. These methods include visual deterrents, such as shiny objects or predator decoy models, as well as audio deterrents, bird spikes, netting, sealing entry points, and bird repellent gels and sprays. Implementing a mix of these methods can lead to better results in managing pigeon populations, reducing the need for drastic measures.
Regardless of the chosen method, the issue of pigeon damage to historic architecture and structures in Limburg remains a pressing concern for local residents and authorities.
