	Home
	Newsletter
	RSS Map
	Privacy Policy
	Contact Us
Search



Newsletter
Your name
Your E-mail
We will never expose your E-Mail address or offer it to any third party

Venice has prohibited to feed the pigeons

comments (0)	article print view publisher send to friends add to favorites post comments
Travel Articles >> City Travel Travel Articles >> Locations >> Europe >> Italy >> Venice

The Venice pigeons that dwell at the famous St Mark's Square will suffer from hunger, because the city authorities have prohibited to feed the birds.

The corresponding order, signed by the Venice Mayor Massimo Cacciari comes into force on the 1-st of May. According to the administration, the pigeons are not only polluting the streets and squares of the city and are spreading various infections. They also harm to the architectural landscape of the city, biting small pieces from the statues and walls, because this construction material improves their digestion.

Currently there are more than hundred and ten thousands of pugeions in Venice. Only during the 2007, the population of these birds has been increased by 25%. Only at the St Mark's Square dwell about forty thousands of birds.

The local authorities are trying to leave the birds without food already for a long time. So, the next in turn prohibition has been introduced in the end of October 2007. But this decision has been disputed by the entrepreneurs that sell the bird food. As the result, the mayor's order had to be suspended. The Femide servants have investigated this conflict for five years and have denied the position of the businessmen. The judge has noted that the health of the citizens is more important that "the personal interests of a small group of people".

It is interesting that every adult working citizen of Venice has to pay for the pigeons almost 280 euro annually. Such taxes are being collected from the citizens for the disinfection of the places of living of the birds and the cleaning of the historical monuments from their excrements. Besides this, the Venice dwellers will probably suffer an additional discomfort because of the birds. The mayor's office threatens to prohibit the ancient tradition - the rice shower for the just married. According to the local authorities, this tradition contributes to the uncontrolled reproduction of the birds.

Many big cities have to face the pigeon problem. The Paris administration plans to eliminate the eggs of the birds and to fine every citizen for 183 euro if he dares to feed the birds. The same financial punishment can rise up to thousands of dollars in New York. Besides, the birds will be supplied with contraceptives and also hawks will be used to hunt the over-populated pigeons. The sterilization of the birds is planned in California to reduce the amount of the pigeons that pollute the Hollywood territory.

[Get This Article]

	Most Viewed Articles in City Travel, Locations:Europe:Italy:Venice categories:
	About 60 thousand people kissed simultaneously in Venice Venice has prohibited to feed the pigeons

This article has been viewed 109 time(s).
Article Submitted On: April 29, 2008