Press Release

FWA supports government’s plan to cull pigeons to control the feral bird population.

Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna welcomes the government’s plan to cull pigeons to control the feral bird population that litters some of the most popular public spaces in Malta and Gozo, causing untold nuisance to many.

From a cultural heritage point of view, this culling has been long overdue and FWA has for years lobbied for it. Earlier attempts to reduce the feral pigeon population by feeding it contraceptive pills did not work, and a more robust approach is required, such as trapping and putting them to sleep, as was done in the past.

Feral pigeons cause significant damage to monuments and buildings primarily through their highly acidic droppings, which not only make buildings unsightly but also corrode stonework, causing it to crumble. They also damage metal, paint, and insulation, leading to structural degradation, roof leaks, and fire risks, resulting in expensive maintenance and cleaning costs.

Pigeons tend to nest in air vents, gutters, drains, pipes, and around electrical fixtures, blocking and clogging them with feathers and droppings. This can result in water damage, flooding, overflow, and blockage of airways.

Their accumulated droppings and nests tend to encourage contamination and infestation by other pests, including mites, fleas, cockroaches, and rats, which cause further damage.

Annually, millions of euros are spent to restore old and historic buildings, a significant portion of which is used to remedy damage caused by feral pigeons.

FWA hopes that this time the government will adopt an effective system by which this long-suffered menace is stamped out for good, and that it is continued on an ongoing basis.

STQARRIJA GHALL-ISTAMPA:

Il-FWA tappoġġja il-pjanijiet tal-gvern li jikkontrolla l-popolazzjoni tal-ħamiem selvaġġ b’mod iktar effettiv.

Il-Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna tilqa’ bi pjaċir l-intenzjoni tal-gvern li jikkontrolla b’mod iktar effettiv il-popolazzjoni tal-ħamiem selvaġġ li qed initten ħafna mill-iktar spazji pubbliċi popolari f’pajjiżna w jdejjaq lil-bosta.

Minn naħa tal-wirt storiku il-bżonn ta’ dan il-kontroll ilu jinħass sewwa xi ħaġa li l-FWA dejjem insistiet dwarhu. Jidher ċar li l-aħħar attentati fejn dan il-ħamiem kien qed jiġi mitmuħ pilloli kontraċettivi bies ma jipprokreajx ma’ kienx qed jaħdem u allura hemm bżonn metodu ieħor ferm iktar effettiv bħal pereżempju li jkunu maqbuda u mneħħija kif kien isir fil-passat.

Il-ħamiem selvaġġ jagħmel bosta ħsara lil bini kemm minħabba il-ħmieġ aċidiku tiegħu li jerri w jfarrak l-ġebla, il-metal, ż-żebgħa w materjal ta’ insulazzjonili jwassal għal ħsara strutturali, dħul ta’ ilma tax-xita. Riskju ta’ ħruq u fuq kollox spejjeż kbar ta’ tiswija.

Billi il-ħamiem ibejjet fil-ventilaturi, katusi, passaġġi w miżibijiet ta’ l-ilma jew inkella’ fuq tgħamir ta’ l-elettriku bħal fanali u lampjuni dawn jikkawżaw sadd fihom li jwassal għal bosta ħsarat serji marbuta mad-dħul jew fawran ta’ l-ilma, umdita’ jew sadd tal-passaġġi ta’ l-arja.

L-akkumular tal-ħmieg u l-bejtiet tagħhom jinkoraġġu l-kontaminazzjoni w l-infestar ta’ insetti, ġrieden u firien li jwasslu għal aktar ħsara.

Ta’ kull sena, miljuni ta’ ewro jintefqu fir-restawr ta’ bini antik jew storiku. Parti sostanzjali minn dawn jintefqu sabiex tissewwa ħsara jew jitnaddaf ħmieġ tal-ħamiem minnhom li jista’ jkun evitat.

Għal daqstant il-Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna titama’ li din id-darba il-gvern iwassal għal kontrol sħiħ u dejjiemi ta’ din il-problema li ilha tikkawża ħsara kbira lil wirt storiku ta’ pajjizna għal bosta snin.