Council may cull 'desperate and aggressive' pigeons

Pigeons in a central Wellington park may face an unhappy New Year, with a cull on the cards if their intimidating behaviour towards lunchtime diners continues.

Wellington City Council public health manager Alison Box said the council had faced a steady stream of complaints in recent weeks from Midland Park users, and from the adjacent Astoria cafe.

"We think it's because of the fine weather - it's meant lots more people have been sitting in the park and either feeding the pigeons, or leaving food scraps behind - this is despite a number of existing 'do not feed the birds' signs," Ms Box said.

"Word appears to have got around the pigeon population because the numbers in Midland Park have jumped. We're now getting reports of pigeon intimidation - with birds swooping at muffins in the park and even flying into the Astoria itself."

As the population increased the birds were becoming more "desperate and aggressive", she said.

There was also an increase in "pigeon poo" in the area, creating a health risk as pigeons can spread gastric diseases via their droppings.

If park users don't stop feeding the birds and don't bin their leftovers the council will conduct a pigeon cull early next year and were discussing the most effective and humane method, Ms Box said.

- NZPA.

- NZPA