Activists claim that pigeon pirates are roaming Manhattan, capturing wild pigeons to sell in out-of-state gun clubs where they will be slaughtered for sport.
The trusting pigeons are frequently attracted into groups with seeds and other types of food before being captured in nets and tossed into vans for transportation.
Two accounts have surfaced recently of pigeon pirates scouring Manhattan streets and capturing dozens of wild pigeons.
On January 8, a man shared a video on Instagram of a pigeon pirate loading his trunk with birds.
On January 16, a couple in Hell’s Kitchen witnessed two men using nets to capture roughly 50 pigeons before fleeing the scene.
After taking a picture of the pigeon pirates’ van, the couple filed a report with the police and New York’s Department of Conservation.
These are not the first instance of pigeon pirating, as in 2018, an animal activist accused a man of selling wild pigeons for $5 to $10 each to gun clubs.
This has struck a chord with many New Yorkers as pigeons are a big part of the city, and many residents are fond of them.
The birds are naturally trusting as they are used to being fed, making them more vulnerable to being captured.
An investigation is underway as stealing pigeons is illegal and can result in a $1,000 fine as well as one year in jail.
This article by Abigail Jane was first published by OneGreenPlanet on 3 February 2022. Lead Image Source : Duy Vo/Unsplash.
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