by Ryan Ponto | Mar 27, 2017 | Bird Netting
Like many lay Buddhists in Thailand, Pratana Laoterdkiat likes to make merit by freeing or feeding animals to restore her spirits when she feels gloomy, but experts warn the tradition needs to be curbed as it can cause damage to property and harm the animals while potentially helping to spread infectious diseases.
Ms Pratana, a native of southern Trang province, occasionally journeys to Bangkok to pay homage at Wat Rakhang Khositaram (“Temple of the Bells”) and engage in such merit-making, which is believed to help determine the quality of the next life and assist a person’s growth towards enlightenment.
She was in the capital last week to pay her respects at the Grand Palace to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who passed away last October at the age of 88. While in the city, she dropped by the temple to feed the pigeons at a nearby pier and throw bread to the fish in the Chao Phraya River.
“I feel good when I see the fish eating the bread I’ve prepared for them,” she said. “I feel like I’ve helped them and that makes me happy.”
Even though freeing animals from captivity or saving them from certain death is an accepted part of Buddhist practice, and one that proponents believe will remove bad luck, reduce illness or boost good fortune, it has come under attack from environmentalists, animal lovers and even health officials.
Nowadays, for example, Wat Rakhang Khositaram suffers from an overpopulation of pigeons that is causing headaches for its caretakers, damaging its property and also affecting nearby communities.
In another case, a turtle called Orm Sin that had spent a quarter of a century swallowing “good luck” coins at a temple died of complications after a second operation to save her failed. Nearly 1,000 coins were removed from her stomach, many from merit makers.
After the incident, Vet Nantarika Chansue asked them to refrain from using animals as a tool to make merit.
But Ms Pratana said she was brought up in an environment where such good deeds were praised, suggesting that more work is needed to educate people about the complex issues at play.
“We’re taught to do good deeds,” she said. “We often release fish into water or birds into the sky.”
“Animals provide food and in this way it is giving back to nature. We can’t say for sure whether this will help us in our own lives, such as overcoming some form of hardship, but we certainly feel better when we do it.”
According to local folklore, different animals are associated with different blessings.
For example, pla mor (climbing perch) is believed to keep illness at bay, probably because its name sounds similar to the Thai word for doctor (mor); eels can bring wealth; and catfish can help you avoid conflict, or even war. Meanwhile, thanks to their long lifespan, turtles may give you a long and healthy life.
Ms Pratana said she had never considered the negative impact of the ritual, especially the risk of pigeons spreading infectious diseases to humans.
“From now on, I may consider making merit in other ways,” she said, adding that she has in recent years lost her faith in Buddhist monks because of the mounting reports of their unholy acts.
Meanwhile, in response to Wat Rakhang Khositaram’s pigeon problem, Pracha Pattanarat, the local district chief, has ordered a large placard be put up in front of the temple warning visitors of the risks.
“Pigeons breed very quickly,” he said, adding that before they are released the birds must be tested for disease.
He urged the public and animal vendors to cooperate with the authorities in supporting the bird control programme initiated by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), which is also aimed at reducing the local bird population.
“If we keep feeding them, they’ll just come for more. They will see the temple as a food source,” Mr Pracha said.
On March 23, a combined team of city officers led by Mr Pracha and officials from the BMA’s Communicable Disease Control (CDC) Division, led by director Methipoj Chatametheekul, inspected the temple and ran random blood tests on the pigeons there. They were assisted by the Veterinary Public Health Division.
Two sets of blood samples were taken from 10 pigeons, Mr Methipoj said, adding that the preliminary results had not yielded any indication of disease.
More detailed results will come in a few days, he said.
Mr Pracha said another issue is that of the birds’ waste defacing public and private property. Their droppings also contain dangerous fungi and bacteria that are potentially harmful to humans, he added.
In the meantime, officials from the CDC have been hanging wax on trees inside the temple to try and keep them away, Mr Methipoj said, adding that educational campaigns for lay Buddhists have also been launched.
According to Phra Kru Samuwatchara, who assists the abbot, the temple has already spent over 10 million baht repairing a sermon hall and improving the condition of other historical sites tainted by pigeon droppings.
One of the problems is local vendors, some of whom sell birds to temple visitors so they can free them.
When interviewed, a vendor calling herself Aunty Lek said she was aware of the issues but seemed reluctant to lose her livelihood. However she said she supported the idea of the authorities catching the pigeons and removing them to other areas.
Aunty Lek said she has cooperated with the authorities and also educates customers who want to make merit in this way by teaching them about what not to do to ensure the animals themselves are not harmed.
For example, terrapins and turtles cannot survive in rivers because of the fast-flowing water, she said. They need calm waters with land nearby where they can rest to survive, she added.
Yongyuth Yukong visits the temple regularly with his son. He said he hopes parents educate their kids about animal welfare to minimise the damage caused by releasing them.
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Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Ryan Ponto | Mar 26, 2017 | Bird Netting
Yarrawonga has edged out Myrtleford by 11 points in a thriller.
The Pigeons led by 27 points at half-time, but the match tightened in the final term, with the visitors posting a 12.12 (84) to 11.7 (73) win over another top three contender.
One of the major talking points was the monster collision between two of the league’s best midfielders in the visitors’ Morris Medallist Tyler Bonat and former winner, Myrtleford’s Brad Murray.
“It was just two contested blokes going hard at the footy,” Yarrawonga co-coach Chris Kennedy said.
The courageous Murray was left on the ground, and looked sore after the game.
Yarrawonga has its own injury concern after Jordan Daniel broke his collarbone in his first match back from Finley.
“We had a lot of new players and it’s going to take a bit of time,” Kennedy said.
“The form of the new guys, they all played well.
“Mark Whiley, Justin Perkins, Jake Wild, they were all very good.”
We had a lot of new players and it’s going to take a bit of time. The form of the new guys, they all played well. Mark Whiley, Justin Perkins, Jake Wild, they were all very good.– Chris Kennedy
Whiley is the only player in the league from the AFL last year, racking up 12 games with Greater Western Sydney followed by nine at Carlton.
He played in the midfield against Myrtleford, while Perkins kicked two goals, despite spending much of his time across half-back.
The lively Jess Koopman was the Pigeons’ leading goal-scorer with four.
And Rhys O’Sullivan kicked his first goal for the club in his second season.
“He was playing in defence, but floated down from fullback and kicked one from the boundary,” Kennedy said.
“That was the highlight for me.”
In a tremendous sign for Yarrawonga, as it looks to return to the grand final after a three-year absence, Collingwood VFL ruckman Lach Howe was best-on-ground, while Whiley and Bonat were also superb.
The Saints, meantime, have been tipped by a number of opposition coaches as a chance to make their first grand final in 11 years.
“They’re pretty similar to last year,” Kennedy said.
“But they’re more advanced because they’re 12 months together, so they’re going to be a very dangerous side on their home deck.”
Hugh Wales was outstanding for the home team, while ex-Carlton player Frazer Dale was terrific.
The Saints will now face a desperate Wodonga Raiders after their first round hiding against Albury.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Ryan Ponto | Mar 25, 2017 | Bird Netting
A fire that is thought to have killed a horse and around 50 pigeons in Northumberland is being treated as arson.
Emergency services were called out at 12.30am on Saturday after reports of a fire at the allotments at Marshes Houses in West Sleekburn.
The blaze was brought under control by fire crews but it caused “significant damage” to a caravan and neighbouring stables on the land.
Police said two horses were removed from the stables but it is believed that one of them has now died.
It is also thought that around 50 pigeons were killed in the blaze.
The cause of the fire is being investigated and is believed to have been started deliberately.
A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “Please help us find person responsible for fire which has left a horse and around 50 pigeons dead.
“Two horses have been removed but sadly it is believed one of the horses has died. It’s is believed 50 pigeons may have also died.
“We are investigating the fire and are treating it as a malicious ignition.”
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Ryan Ponto | Mar 24, 2017 | Bird Netting
ARSONISTS are being blamed for a fire which left a horse and 50 pigeons dead.
The incident happened in Bedlington, Northumberland, at 12.20am on Saturday.
“We received a report at 00.20am on Saturday, April 1, of a caravan on fire at the allotment at Marshes Houses in West Sleekburn,” said a Northumbria Police spokesman.
“We have attended the scene with the fire service and the fire was extinguished. There has been significant damage to the caravan and the neighbouring stables.
“Two horses have been removed but sadly it is believed one of the horses has died. It’s is believed 50 pigeons may have also died.
“We are investigating the fire and are treating it as a malicious ignition.”
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Ryan Ponto | Mar 23, 2017 | Bird Netting
A two-year-old checker male pigeon travelled 1,005.62 km in 25.59 hours from Maharashtra to Salem and bagged the first place in the State-level annual competition held here.
Organised by the Chennai-based Goodwill Pigeon Racing Society (GPRS) that conducts pigeon racing for up to 1,000 km annually, as many as 65 pigeons, including 21 pigeons from Salem, participated in the competition. Pigeons were released at 6.20 a.m. on March 20 at Warada in Nagpur and the pigeon belonging to Pradeep Agilan of Hasthampatti in the city reached home at 8.30 a.m. on March 22. “It covered the distance in less than 26 hours which is a new State record,” said Mr. Agilan. The pigeon that came second in the State could reach only by 11 a.m., he added.
The pigeon has to brave weather and wind patterns and reach the breeder’s home. The pigeon is tagged with an outer ring around its legs that have details of the society, year of birth, breeders name etc. An inner ring, which is not known to the breeder, will also be fixed to the pigeon. When the bird reaches the destination, the breeder has to convey the details in the inner ring to the members of GPRS over phone upon which the duration is calculated and the winning pigeon is announced. Mr. Agilan said that regular training and healthy feeding helped the Belgium-breed to win the competition. He also said that no research could so far establish how the pigeon reaches the breeder’s home even if it is let off 1,000 km away. “Maybe the bonding between the two is stronger,” he added.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
