Subject: Gentle London Pigeons
Date: Jan 11 07:24:34 2003
From: GMunger140 at aol.com - GMunger140 at aol.com


Tweeters,
Anyone who may have visited in London and has experienced the clouds of
pigeons in Trafalgar Square may be interested in an article in the Seattle
Post Intelligencer yesterday, 1/10, regarding attempts to reduce the numbers
of pigeons down from the estimated 35,000 present in the square during the
day. The mayor banned feeding the pigeons in the square and evicted the
official bird seed vendor from his kiosk. Under the guidance of an
independent scientist, there is controlled feeding with the intent of
reducing the amount of feed over a six month period in the hopes that the
birds will find somewhere else to feed. The article can be found on the P.I
website; an excerpt is included below.

"The mayor, who had described pigeons as "rats with wings," welcomed the
agreement. He said that along with a new cafe and pedestrian area, the
reduction in pigeon numbers would make the square "far more attractive to
visitors."

"It will also significantly reduce cleaning costs and prevent further damage
to the historic fabric of the square caused by the birds' highly corrosive
droppings," he added.

Campaigners also welcomed the deal, but maintained the pigeons were a popular
London tourist attraction.

"These birds are more important to the history, the present and the future of
London than Ken will ever be. He has got to show them some respect," said
Andrew Tyler, director of Animal Aid, whose organization branded the mayor
"Ken, the Pigeon Killer."

In an effort to reduce pigeon numbers, City Hall has also hired falconers to
hunt the birds with hawks.

The yearly contracts to keep dozens of sites around the capital pigeon-free -
such as Downing Street, where the prime minister lives - are worth up to
$65,000 each.

The pigeon feeding ban captured headlines worldwide, prompted pleas for help
from pigeon lovers on the Internet and was even mentioned in the British
Parliament.

Labor Party lawmaker Tony Banks introduced a motion in the House of Commons
urging Livingstone to spare the "gentle London pigeon."

"The square's feral pigeons are sociable and intelligent creatures who have
become accustomed to a food source provided by human beings," said the motion
introduced at the time."
Garet Munger
Seattle
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