‘Out of control’: 23,000 pigeons culled in past 18-months at Port Pirie

Wiping out more than 23,000 pigeons in the past 18 months has done little to stem an infestation gripping Port Pirie, prompting calls for more help.

• SA Health employee hospitalised

A pigeon infestation problem at Port Pirie in the state’s Mid North has grown “out of control” in the past five years, with 23,000 birds culled by the local council in the past 18 months.

Locals from the regional city 230km north of Adelaide say efforts to eradicate the problem have barely made a dent, with community leadership now calling for the state government to intervene.

Mayor Leon Stephens told The Advertiser that the local council had started an eradication program in late 2023, with pigeon shooters working tirelessly to fix the problem since.

The roof of St Joseph’s House an aged care facility at Port Pirie heavily covered in pigeon poo, and dead pigeons. Supplied,

“In the last 18-months, we’ve shot about 23,000, but as you can see, it really hasn’t gotten us anywhere though because we still have a problem,” he said.

“The boys on average would shoot, say, 600-700 a night when they can get on to them.”

Mr Stephens said pigeon culling was not done every night, and that shooters would only take birds from underneath the wharf, before they are disposed of at the waste transfer station.

Locals say a pigeon infestation problem at Port Pirie is out of control. Picture: Supplied

He said efforts so far have barely made an impact, and with limited town council resources, business owners would continue to be suffer from the infestation.

“I could name three shops off the top of my head that probably would do with our help big time,” he said.

“But the last time that I talked to the (state) government, they basically put it back to, ‘this is the onus of the commercial building, and the business there’.

“But it’s not their problem because we’ve got this food source (grain) around there that allows them to breed beyond the numbers we are capable of handling.”

The roof of St Joseph’s House in 2023. Supplied,

Business owner, David*, did not want to be identified, said he was once contracted to clean the roof of St Joseph’s House aged care facility with a co-worker just over two years ago, but was unable to because of how “filthy” it was.

“It was way bigger than anything we were able to achieve,” he said.

“We got ill, and that was from just trying to shovel it (pigeon poo) up and close it down.

“We were constantly on high pressure cleaners and shovelling it up and I can guarantee you nothing would have changed.”

The Advertiser has sent questions to St Joseph’s House.

Last week, The Advertiser reported on an SA Health employee being hospitalised with respiratory symptoms, after the work site she was based at tested positive for bacteria from contaminated dust from dry pigeon poo.

Locals say a pigeon infestation problem at Port Pirie is out of control, with hundreds of birds spotted on the streets at any time. Picture: Supplied

A state government spokesperson said dry weather events was to blame for the infestation. Picture: Supplied

On Tuesday, David took a 5-10 minute walk around the city centre, and snapped a few photos which showed hundreds of pigeons sitting on top of buildings, and faeces on the sidewalk.

He said the council and state government needed to work together to address the problem.

“They can no longer throw the onus back on businesses because that's no working, it’s out of control,” he said.

“A quick walk around the city centre will show you the little they (council) are doing and it’s not working.

“They need help, and they probably need help from state or federal funding, because whatever they’re doing is having zero impact.

“Our local businesses, like, they might be trying to do their best within their private budgets, but the reality is, that’s just not sustainable.”

A state government spokesperson said dry weather events was to blame for the infestation, and said the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) would continue to engage councils.

“The impacts of pigeons and other pest birds are pronounced this season because of the ongoing drought,” they said.

“While widespread population reductions are required to reduce the impacts of pest birds to a manageable level, the only way this can be done is through baiting programs.

“PIRSA staff are undertaking nationally significant research and development work to develop a new, humane bait for pest birds.”

Originally published as ‘Out of control’: 23,000 pigeons culled in past 18-months at Port Pirie