Andorra Councils Install Solar Dispensers to Curb Pigeon Populations Humanely

Councils in Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany have completed installation of six solar-powered dispensers that release sterilising feed to curb urban pigeon numbers through ethical, gradual means.

The units distribute measured portions of corn treated with a fertility inhibitor, targeting reproduction while prioritising animal welfare. Sites were chosen following earlier censuses and surveys to focus on areas with the highest pigeon concentrations, described as strategic hotspots.

Four dispensers now operate in Andorra la Vella: at Lycée Comte de Foix and the mini-recycling stations in the Parc Central, Centre Ciutat Busos (Prada Casadet), and Valira (on Carrer de la Unió) car parks. The other two are in Escaldes-Engordany at Prat del Roure and Plaça de l'Església.

Each autonomous device holds 20 to 25 kilograms of feed. Laboratori i Assessorament Integral, S.L.U., the awarded contractor, manages comprehensive maintenance, regular refills, and continuous population tracking to confirm the treatment's safety for other species.

This collaborative effort between the two parishes tackles a common issue, seeking to enhance public spaces and promote better urban coexistence. The per-dispenser cost stands at 800.93 euros, including IGI, under a one-year contract automatically renewable for up to six years.