July 9, 2024, 1:50 pm | Read time: 3 minutes

Limburg an der Lahn recently caused a great deal of outrage with its decision to kill its city’s pigeons. Now at least a partial solution has been found. 200 pigeons are to be driven from Limburg more than 437 kilometers (271.5 miles) to the Czech border.

200 Limburg pigeons escape the stranglehold

A press release from the city of Limburg an der Lahn states that “the intended reduction of the pigeon population ( . . . ) by killing them” has not only brought the city into the (negative) headlines nationally(PETBOOK last reported in June). Several British and US media outlets reported on the planned cull. The news even made it onto the “Late Show” with US comedian Stephen Colbert, who sarcastically asked, “Germany, are you okay?”

According to the press release, the city of Limburg also received hundreds of letters. The senders expressed their horror, disappointment, and lack of understanding, but some also sent threats. However, the media attention also led to new opportunities. The city has received an offer to pick up 200 pigeons from Limburg and have them relocated far away so they do not fly back.

271 miles of transportation so the pigeons can survive

“We will gladly accept this offer as a much milder measure than killing them,” explains Mayor Dr. Marius Hahn. As the head of the city, he has been repeatedly contacted and asked not to implement the decision.

An animal welfare association that runs several sanctuaries in Germany and Austria has now offered to collect 200 pigeons from Limburg and take them in, and house them at a location near the Czech border. There has been a new building in Eslarn in the Upper Palatinate since 2023, which is specially designed for species-appropriate pigeon keeping.

However, the new home for the pigeons is also 437 kilometers (271.5 miles) away from Limburg an der Lahn. This is almost five hours by car. For the birds in transportation, this is very much an unfamiliar situation. Until then, the city will have to bear the costs of catching and caring for the pigeons. They will be transported on two or three trips.

“It is now a matter of finding a suitable property or building to house the birds well until they are transported; we also have to organize catching them,” the mayor continued in the press release. He leaves no doubt that the city cannot turn down such an offer under any circumstances.

More on the topic

Referendum Limburg decides to have pigeons killed – animal rights activists appalled

Growing population More and more lynx are living in the Harz Mountains – what does that mean for people?

Stress and unclear loss rates Why animal welfare activists criticize today’s racing pigeon breeding

The mayor hopes that other organizations will solve the pigeon problem

“Finding a new home is certainly a good alternative for Limburg’s pigeons”, Hahn believes. He hopes that among the many animal and pigeon protectors who have contacted the city since November last year, there will be some who take in more of the Limburg pigeons very soon.

A population of up to 700 pigeons was recently recorded in Limburg’s city center. This figure was estimated based on a count in the spring of last year. However, their goal is a population of around 300 pigeons.

If this partial solution eventuates and other institutions and individuals take pigeons from Limburg, the target population could ideally be achieved without any culling. According to Hahn, it will then be an important task to keep the reduced population in check. There have already been many suggestions for how to do this in recent months. And numerous offers have been made to the city to provide support. “I hope this will continue to be the case,” says Hahn.