The pigeon population is puffing up, and it’s a big problem. The Mallorca Council has declared a temporary hunting emergency for the second consecutive year due to unsustainable pigeon populations, in both the rural and urban areas of the island.
Pigeons, though virtually harmless to humans except for health risks, can have an extremely detrimental impact on the environment if their population gets out of hand. Namely, they can cause damage to agricultural crops such as vines and olive trees, and in urban areas, large numbers of pigeons can damage property, namely roofs of public and private buildings, water tanks, swimming pools, and other municipal facilities … not to mention, they need to be cleaned up after.
In response to the growing problem, Pedro Bestard, the second Vice President of the Council and the Minister for the Environment, has authorised a hunting period for the birds, in which hunters will be able to hunt pigeons with shotguns or shotguns and dogs combined. However, there will be strict rules in place for the authorisation: hunting of wood pigeons will be allowed on August 3, 7, 10, 14, 15, and 17. Feral pigeons can be hunted on August 3, 7, 10, 14, 15, 17, 21, 24, 28, and 31. In open hunting areas outlined by the plan, feral pigeons can be hunted on August 21 and 28. Additionally, by September 15 hunters must submit a report to the Council’s Hunting Service summarising the number of kills made during the period, as this will help officials to measure the effectiveness of the plan.