Transport for London workers 'use snipers to kill more than 650 pigeons at stations' in mass cull

By SHANNON MCGUIGAN, NEWS REPORTER Published: 20:11, 31 July 2026 | Updated: 20:28, 31 July 2026 More than 650 pigeons are said to have been gunned down and killed by workers contracted by Transport for London in a mass cull. Between March 2024 and 2026, at least 123 pigeon shoots took place in a bid to get rid of birds nesting on ledges or trapped in netting at stations, Manchester Pigeon Rehab (MPR) said. At least 655 have been shot and killed, while at least seven chicks were killed or removed, as well as 17 active nests also being removed. Disturbing images have since been released of staff, wearing hi-vis clothing, taking aim at birds with air rifles in underground stations. And another snapshot shows one worker with their boot on a bleeding pigeon at Stanmore station. Meanwhile, some baby chicks and fledglings were orphaned or had their necks broken using 'humane bird dispatchers', MPR has alleged. Pigeon culls also went ahead in breeding seasons, despite Natural England advising 'avoiding lethal control' during this time. And when birds became trapped in netting, they were often shot instead of being freed. It comes as TfL's methods have come under scrutiny with campaigners filing a crime report to the British Transport Police, claiming the pigeons experienced unnecessary suffering. MPR, which collated the data, has accused the local government organisation of not exploring other non-lethal alternatives to mitigate the birds' suffering. The group allege killings usually took place between midnight and 5am. In some cases, birds did not instantly die after being shot – and some fled with serious injuries. More than 650 pigeons are said to have been gunned down and killed by workers contracted by Transport for London in a mass cull At least 655 have been shot and killed, while at least seven chicks were also killed or removed, as well as the removal of 17 active nests Meanwhile, another snapshot shows one worker with their boot on a bleeding pigeon at Stanmore station Twenty shots were carried out in Arnos Grove in December, a report detailed, but just 16 pigeons were killed. In a Freedom of Information (FoI) request, TfL said this was because four shots were used on one bird and did not result in an instant kill. In August, a worker said of an incident at a Ruislip Depot that one pigeon, who was shot, escaped through open doors. They added: 'Despite best efforts, it couldn't be located to be able to remove.' Modern feral pigeons descended from domesticated pigeons, who were used to send messages for millennia - during the times of ancient Egypt, ancient Rome and various medieval crusades.  And some were even considered famous First World War veterans, risking their lives as messenger pigeons, with The Poilu, Kaja Boy, and The Admiral all being remembered by the US Department of Agriculture for their bravery. MPR told the Daily Mail that they believe TfL 'should immediately end lethal control' of pigeons in favour of other methods. 'We believe Transport for London should immediately end lethal control in favour of habitat modification, humane deterrents and other non-lethal management measures,' they said. 'In some circumstances this may also mean accepting that wildlife will continue to exist in shared urban spaces.' Pest control services were contracted to AGS One by TfL and were carried out under a GL41 licence, an FOI found. A GL41 licence comes with several conditions, which include taking reasonable measures to reduce suffering. It was a requirement that non-lethal alternatives should be looked into first under this licence until the end of last year. An MPR spokesman 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.' A TfL spokesperson 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. Meanwhile, some baby chicks and fledglings were orphaned or had their necks broken using 'humane bird dispatchers', MPR has alleged In some cases, birds did not instantly die after being shot - and some fled with serious injuries And when birds became trapped in netting, they were often shot instead of being freed 'Unfortunately, in a 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 create fire hazards and structural damage.' The Daily Mail has approached AGS One for comment.