Madrid has begun planning to execute thousands of parrots that the city council says are making a fuss over the population and threatening public health.
On Thursday, local administration officials said that more than 11,000 birds have been slaughtered, a number that represents about 90% of all parrots in the Spanish capital.
The execution program, which has been criticized by animal welfare groups, is scheduled to start in October and continue for 23 months.
The program aims to put parrots numbers under control by destroying their nests, removing their eggs, families of chicks, and adult birds that use nests and cages.
"The euthanasia operation that is subject to ethical standards will be conducted using methods that do not violate the standards of animal welfare," said the Environmental Department in Madrid.
Parrot numbers have increased by a third over the past three years, and have built 4,400 nests across Madrid in 2019, according to the city council, which has been run by a far-right conservative coalition since last June.
The birds established huge heavy nests that could fall from the trees, and possibly branches with them, according to official documents.
Wildlife protection societies reject what was said about the negative impact of birds on the city's wild and plant life, as well as the method adopted by the city council in capturing and disposing of it, and also denounced any potential use of gas, describing it as involving a great deal of cruelty.
The local administration has allocated about three million euros (3.25 million dollars) for this process.
Madrid - Reuters