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Birds Poisoned at Chemical Plant in West Virginia

PETA has received numerous calls from employees at the M&G Polymers Polyester Plant in Apple Grove, West Virginia, who report that administrators plan to poison hundreds of birds with either Avitrol or DRC-1339. PETA’s urgent appeals to the plant manager to halt the alleged poisoning program—and allow us to help the plant develop an effective, humane bird-control program—have been met with silence.

Making matters worse, nontarget species often become sick and die when they eat the tainted bait or prey upon poisoned birds. For example, birds of prey—such as red-tailed hawks and peregrine falcons—have been known to fatally ingest the remains of pigeons poisoned with Avitrol and DRC-1339. Directly or indirectly harming any protected bird is a violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and is punishable by a $15,000 fine per violation.

In addition to being cruel, poisons and other lethal methods do not control animal populations. The only long-term way to control bird populations is to modify habitats so that they become unattractive or inaccessible to animals. We have sent M&G Polymers detailed information on proven humane bird-exclusion methods, including PETA’s “Permanent and Humane Pigeon-Control Solutions” report and “Street Pigeons: War Heroes, Devoted Parents, Clever Learners” factsheet—all to no apparent avail. Now we desperately need your help.

Please urge M&G Polymers plant manager Robert Bowen to halt this reported bird-poisoning program at the plant and to accept PETA’s offer to work with M&G to develop an effective, humane bird-control program.