Killing pesky pigeons - yes or no?
Should cities trap and kill pesky pigeons if they become a health problem?
Should cities trap and kill pesky pigeons if they become a health problem?
Mary M
Favorite Answer
Pigeons are not a health problem, and, if they were, that would not be an effecient method of eliminating the health problem, or the pigeons. It is never wise to mess with the natural order of things, killing large amounts of pigeons may cause a disbalance in the food chain that could be harmful to other species. Pigeons have followed humankind around since the beginning of time and made our homes their homes, and have been a faithful message-bearer, food supply, and delight to humans. What is so threatening about pigeons that we feel a sudden need to eradicate them for the sake of a sterile, 'pest-free' enviroment?
pm_farm
It depends on if they really are a "health" problem or not. Usually that's just an excuse used by people who don't like nature interfering with their lives.
If a valid health issue can be proved, just trap them and move them. Put feed regularly in the new safe zone for a brief period, and they will stay. All animals respond to food. Killing isn't a necessary evil here.
Catkin
Killing them seems unethical & a lot of non-target birds & animals could also die in the process.
A few cities have begun setting out food that has contraceptives in it, which sounds like the best solution.
Molly
I heard about something about giving the pigeons birth control to control the population. I, personally, don't think they should do anything if it hasn't cause any fatalities.
MotaroRIP
Well if they already have them trapped, why kill them? I think they should relocate them in a forest or something.
*sarcasm*
But why should they care? I mean there are millions of birds, why should they bother to spend the time on protecting them.