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The Wellington Anti-Cull Coalition (WACC) was founded by a group of Wellingtonians who were concerned about the Wellington City Council in New Zealand who announced plans to cull the city pigeons. The coalition was formed during this time with the support of the London-based "Save the Trafalgar Square Pigeons (STTSP)" in October 2008.

During this time, concerns were initially raised because the Council announced there would be shooting, most likely at night, while the pigeons were in their roosts. This alarmed us and we found it disturbed many other Wellingtonians as well. A variety of people wrote to the council and to the newspapers to express their concerns. It was in these communications and forums that alliances of opinion were formed and many of us started to communicate with each other to further explore these concerns and the lack of response from the Council.

Due to our efforts and those of our local animal welfare organisations, international support, and the outcry of concern from the public, the Wellington City Council called off their plans to cull the pigeons in November 2008. However, the perception of a problem has not gone away. We believe the only solution to this, for all parties including the pigeons, is to have non-lethal methods of control adopted. Such as those recommended and specialised in by PiCAS International that do not involve killing the birds. We continue to strive towards this goal.

Whilst pigeons, as the subject of our first campaign, are most dear to our hearts they are not the only subject of concern. During our campaign for their lives in 2008 and since, we have learnt of many other naturalised species that are viewed negatively, in and around our cities and countryside. We realised that the principles of population control for these animals are similar, and there are other options besides killing. We have taken on, as our life's work, the preservation of the lives of these animals and the awakening of the traditional mindset that allows these culling practices to continue.

During our first campaign for the pigeons in 2008 Niel Hansen, Director of STTSP's said, in support of WACC:

"We have demonstrated through our work in Trafalgar Square that pigeon numbers can be reduced in a humane and sustainable manner. Culling as a control method is not only inherently barbaric but has been thoroughly scientifically discredited. Without a holistic approach to the problem, pigeon numbers will be back to pre-cull numbers in no time. We are aware that the Wellington City Council has declined an offer of free independent advice from world-renowned experts on human pigeon control and we urge them to think again."

The WACC knows that this is a long battle for compassion and re-education, but we pledge to be vigilant and to challenge any New Zealand Council who suggests this type of control again.

More on why we disagree with culling as a method of control >>