This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Hate might be a bit of a strong word — but it’s no sweeping generalization to assume that most people aren’t fans of pigeons. They haven’t earned the nickname “rats with wings” for nothing. Which ties into why, in a bold yet somewhat understandable move, the Spanish city of Cádiz has taken it upon themselves to banish 5,000 local pigeons.
Talks of controlling the pigeon population began two years ago when the Horeca, a regional federation of hotel owners and managers, complained about the pigeons “menacing” visitors throughout the city — particularly by Cathedral Square, a popular destination for tourists.
“Nobody here has anything against pigeons or other animals, but something must be done when they proliferate to the point of presenting a health risk,” said Antonio De María Ceballos, a restaurant owner and the president of Horeca. “We want to avoid losing some revenues from tourists, but this issue is really about whether we believe it is important to keep Cádiz’s image as a clean and healthy city.”
So, how does a city humanely relocate 5,000 pigeons? Within the next year, officials plan on trapping the birds, giving them health checks, and releasing them to a dovecote (a shelter with nest holes known for keeping domesticated pigeons) near the town of Ribarroja del Turia, which sits about 375 miles east of Cádiz. The “exile solution” is viewed as a more humane way of settling the pigeon population and was chosen in favor of culling or feeding the birds contraceptive pills.
City officials are also urging visitors and locals alike to stop feeding the pigeons. By distributing 3,000 leaflets on how to handle the pigeon population, Álvaro de la Fuente, the city official, hopes to avoid fining residents for “overindulging” the birds.
As for keeping the pigeons out? Well, the city hopes that the “highly adaptable” rock pigeons are comfortable enough in their new homes that they won’t be tempted to return to Cádiz.
Featured image by Raquel Maria Carbonell Pagola/LightRocket via Getty Images.
Know before you go.
News and deals straight to your inbox every day.
NEW INCREASED OFFER: 60,000 Points
TPG'S BONUS VALUATION*: $1,200
CARD HIGHLIGHTS: 2X points on all travel and dining, points transferrable to over a dozen travel partners
*Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. View our latest valuations here.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
