SHOCKING pictures appear to show snipers aiming air rifles at train stations – with Transport for London workers accused of killing over 650 pigeons in a mass cull.
TfL is said to have organised at least 123 shoots between March 2024 and March 2026 in an effort to rid stations of birds nesting on ledges or trapped behind netting, according to Manchester Pigeon Rehab (MPR).
MPR claims over 600 pigeons were shot and killed across London Tube stations Credit: Supplied
Over 600 pigeons were reportedly shot and killed across London Tube stations Credit: Supplied
TfL is adamant its approach is “focused on prevention” and that the “avoidance of animal cruelty is taken very seriously”.
However, “in a few small number of cases” – when such measures aren’t successful, the removal of pigeons and nests “is undertaken with consideration” and as a “last resort”.
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Shocking pictures appear to show TfL workers clad in hi-vis aiming air rifles at birds and in one image, allegedly taken at Stanmore Station, a man appears to have his boot clamped on a bleeding pigeon.
Over the two years, MPR claims 655 pigeons were shot, 17 active nests were removed and at least seven chicks were killed or removed.
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Some baby chicks and fledglings were left without parents or their necks were snapped using “humane bird dispatchers”, the group says.
The methods have been met with some backlash and campaigners have filed a crime report to the British Transport Police as they say the birds suffered unnecessarily.
The data was collated by MPR who claimed TfL did not explore non-lethal options or take reasonable steps to mitigate pigeon suffering.
They claim the culling took place after hours, typically between midnight and 5am.
A pigeon behind netting Credit: Supplied
The group says nests were destroyed Credit: Supplied
The FoI requests found that the shootings were contracted out to AGS one and were performed under a GL41 licence.
The licence reportedly has several conditions, including taking reasonable measures to minimise suffering.
Natural England advises “avoiding lethal control” during breeding season.
A spokesperson for Manchester Pigeon Rehab added: “Pigeons are intelligent and highly social animals.
“They are capable of forming long term bonds, share the responsibility of raising young, and can solve complex problems.
“Modern feral pigeons descended from birds that were once domesticated by humans where they carried our messages and fought in our wars.
“Pigeons are intelligent and highly social animals. They are capable of forming long term bonds, share the responsibility of raising young, and can solve complex problems.
“We believe Transport for London should immediately end lethal control in favour of habitat modification, humane deterrents and other non-lethal management measures.
“In some circumstances this may also mean accepting that wildlife will continue to exist in shared urban spaces.”
A spokesperson for Transport for London said: “Our approach is focused on prevention, and the avoidance of animal cruelty is taken very seriously.
“We continue to invest in preventative measures as our primary approach, exhausting all appropriate non-lethal methods, and have significantly increased our mitigations on stations and in depots as part of this work.
“Unfortunately, in a few small number of cases, preventative measures are not always successful or effective, creating an unsafe environment.
“When this is the case, we work with our suppliers to ensure that the removal of pigeons, or their nests, is undertaken with consideration and only ever as a last resort when other deterrents have failed.
“Ultimately, we have a duty of care to customers, staff, contractors and other third parties to maintain a safe, clean environment for those using or working on our property.
“Pigeon waste carries risks of bacteria and insects, while nesting and waste material creates fire hazards and structural damage.”
