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Proposed culling of rooks near airport causes outcry

The plans were to cull the rooks in accordance with the general licence relating to public safety.

By Barnaby Dracup

Monday, 11 May 2009

More than 200 people recently signed a petition to save 800 rooks that were due to be culled at Manchester Airport.

Experts say the rookery, located in woods near Dunham Massey, in Greater Manchester, for more than 300 years, now poses a threat to public safety.

It is feared the birds may interfere with flights from the airport and cause an accident.

“Plans were in place to cull the rooks on 30 April in accordance with the general licence relating to public safety,” an airport spokesman said.

“But instead we will continue talks with the local community as to how best to proceed.”

The website opposing the bird cull claimed the loss of the rook flock would be “devastating and the damage is irreversible”.

Let us know what you think about this!

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Comments

Dan

Fri, 15th Jan 2010 22:01:23

I am for shooting the rooks as they are vermin and will interfere with flight paths, I walk the dogs around dunham and dont like to see The pertitions. I am a shooter and i do like shooting animals, but I dont like it when people shoot "Just for fun" and leave the carcess behind. Atleast give the animal some dignaty and take it with you, and if edible eat it.

darren

Sun, 18th Oct 2009 21:45:33

birds do fly into jet engines go on youtube and see for yourself, 800 rooks means a possible 800 engines with up to 400 people per plane do you want to risk the lives of up to 320,000 people (not including the people the plane lands on) over 800 screeching disease Carriers if a plane crashed on school were your kids went due to a rook in the engine i am sure you would be happy to kill them then wouldn't you

Janina Nycz

Sat, 20th Jun 2009 15:03:04

I am against the shooting of Rooks in any area of the country and at the moment especially apposed to the one near Manchester Airport. Why do airport officials think that Rooks would be stupid enough to interfere with aircraft flights? Recent studies have shown them to be exceptionally intelligent birds who work things out very well given most circumstances and I do not think anyone has a right to shoot any animal or bird - Birds were here first, they have the right to live freely and not be threatened by blood thirsty gun toting killers. Ban the gun!!

Michelle Pitt

Tue, 26th May 2009 21:39:03

I am pleased the cull has not took place and I hope in the future these birds will be protected, as a bird lover and corvid rescuer I am totally against shooting at these birds - we should never have the right to take the lives of birds or animals just for human gain. Michelle Pitt

r newman

Wed, 13th May 2009 20:19:20

Hummmmm....Culled by the hunters or wait until birds get ingested in a jet engine ... Do I see a difference? Latter may cost...a lot...

d.b.fradgley

Tue, 12th May 2009 04:56:43

if the do gooders were about to go on holiday and were held up because off these birds would they be so keen ? i think not..

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