Health, safety and cleanliness a priority at shopping centre
LONEHILL - After it was reported by Fourways Review that management and maintenance staff at Lonehill Shopping Centre purposefully sealed pigeons off from their hatchlings and nests, management at the centre responded, assuring shoppers and animal lovers that they had no intention to harm the birds.
The centre had placed plastic mesh in and around roof trusses and entrances to stop pigeons from nesting, allegedly not knowing that there were still hatchlings in numerous nests. On 13 February, local conservation organisation FreeMe, spent hours trying to free the remaining trapped birds.
“We were contacted by shoppers at the centre who told us that all the roof openings and entrances that the pigeons used were sealed off and that some birds were left inside, while other birds were stuck outside,” said FreeMe representative, Penny Morkel.
A total of 14 birds were removed, 10 of which were surviving hatchlings.
Michelle Townsend, general manager of Tinswalo Property Group who manages the centre, denied that they had no concern for the birds.
“We would like to assure everyone that Lonehill Shopping Centre has taken correct preventative measures not to harm any pigeons and their little ones,” stated Townsend. “We have merely taken measures to ensure the cleanliness of all external stores and restaurants.”
She continued to say that they were delighted to see that both tenants and FreeMe took such an interest in the wellbeing of the birds and the centre.
“Birds present a particular problem for today’s shopping centres. They are often attracted to rooftops with HVAC units, bulkheads and trapdoors in ceilings near the areas where shoppers visit and eat.”
She explained that dried bird droppings carry spores that can affect the health of shoppers with weakened immune systems. “In fact, bird droppings are known to carry any of 60 diseases that can be contracted by humans. Among these are histoplasmosis, encephalitis, salmonella, meningitis, and toxoplasmosis, even the West Nile virus.”
The centre’s aim was to install effective bird deterrents that discourage birds from perching, roosting and nesting, but also ensure that the existing birds aren’t harmed in any way, she said.
Read our previous story, Trapped birds left to die.
Do you think pigeons at Lonehill shopping centre are a health and safety risk? Tweet us your thoughts @Fourways_Review
