The city is focusing on controlled and humane regulation of the city pigeon population
As the city of Darmstadt has announced, a mobile, supervised dovecote has been set up at the intersection of Landwehrstraße and Kirschenallee as part of the city's urban pigeon project. The measure is initially limited to six months and supplements the existing dovecotes in the city.
Sustainable regulation according to the “Augsburg model”
The aim of the project is to regulate the pigeon population sustainably, in a controlled manner, and with animal welfare in mind. It is based on the so-called "Augsburg Model," in which supervised pigeon lofts serve as fixed roosting and nesting sites for the birds.
The pigeons are regularly cared for by the Darmstadt and Surrounding Area Animal Welfare Association. At the same time, any eggs laid are replaced with dummy eggs to selectively limit reproduction. This controlled population management aims to provide the animals with better living conditions in the long term.
Location chosen based on illegal feeding
The new dovecote was deliberately placed in this area. In recent months, there had been repeated instances of illegal pigeon feeding around Landwehrstrasse. This made the location more attractive to the birds, leading to increased nesting activity in surrounding buildings.
Furthermore, a nearby, existing dovecote was used less frequently, thus limiting the possibilities for population control. Uncontrolled feeding can also impair the effectiveness of measures at other locations – such as Luisenplatz, which has the largest managed dovecote on the roof of the Luisencenter.
The city is asking for support
The city points out that feeding pigeons is not permitted anywhere within the city limits. The project can only be successful in the long term by concentrating the birds in designated areas.
During the six-month test phase, the study will focus on whether the population in the affected area decreases and illegal feeding declines.
The city provides further information online .
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/dk)
