A planned cull of Wellington's inner-city pigeon population has ruffled the feathers of bird lovers.
The council says the birds have begun to intimidate Wellingtonians but pigeon supporters disagree and have been protesting to save them.
As far as protests go, 'save the pigeons' was at the calmer end of the scale but it did not mean the message was any less important.
While the protestors say the birds are friendly and just want a good life, the council is planning a cull.
The council says they have become a nuisance because of their increasing numbers and they had become aggressive particularly at food outlets.
Pigeon rights activists say there are other ways of dealing with this issue, but the council is not listening to them.
The council insists the cull will go ahead
Deputy mayor Ian McKinnon says the real issue is the method by which the pigeons will be culled.
“We are determined that whatever form the cull takes it will be as humane as we can make it,” he said.
Trapping is most likely - pigeon lovers will be happy to hear that rules out shooting and poisoning.
Wild Food challenge winner Andy Potts says the birds are a delicacy not a pest.
Pigeon campaigners are still hoping to get enough signatures to stop the cull before it happens.
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