First pigeon house in Innsbruck: Modern animal welfare project in the Rapoldipark

First pigeon house in Innsbruck: Modern animal welfare project in the Rapoldipark

The Innsbrucker Rapoldipark is now home to the city's first pigeon house. This is part of a newly introduced concept that is intended to demonstrate modern and animal welfare handling of the city pigeon population. In the state capital, there have been efforts to observe and regulate the pigeon population for some time, which is implemented under the leadership of Mayor Ing. Mag. Johannes Anzengruber, BSC.

A specially drawn up pigeon protection concept designed by wildlife commissioned Thomas Klestil includes the construction of pigeon houses in strategically sensible locations. The Rapoldipark was chosen as a suitable location due to planned evaluations and the distance to residential areas, which also protects the residents.

regulation of the pigeon population

The initiative for setting up the first pigeon house came through close cooperation with ARGE animal welfare, represented by Dr. André Stadler and Veronika Rom-Erhard. The plan is a targeted management of pigeon population to reduce its presence in sensitive areas such as balconies and roofs. After one year, the pilot project is to be evaluated in order to plan further measures. A second pigeon house is already in prospect for 2025.

The mayor was pleased that it was possible to find a political consensus and to work together across factions. "The topic of pigeon management has dealt with us in the past three years. It is important to create a harmonious coexistence between humans and animals," said Anzengruber.

In addition, it is pointed out that pigeons are looking for contact with people than pets held for many years, which is why special places are required to tolerate and supply the animals. With the new pigeon house, the population is also to be sustainably reduced using controlled egg outlets.

The wildlife commissioner Klestil said: "The pigeon house is a step to achieve a reduction in animal welfare of the population. Here, the pigeons are cared for in a species -appropriate manner and can live under better conditions. However, a house alone will not solve all problems - further locations have to follow."

The planned pigeon house, made in cooperation with the “Artis” carpentry, is placed at a post of around 1.2 meters. Up to 100 pigeons can breed there in peace. It is important to regulate the feeding of the pigeons in the urban area: only at the new location is this carried out by the employees of the magistrate.

For additional information and deeper insights into the pigeon management in Innsbruck, there are other reports, as described on www.meinbezirk.at .