Pompeii. Researchers in Italy are alarmed: archaeological finds in Pompeii are in danger. Now, the “winged guards” should save the place.
Pigeons can be more than a nuisance, especially their caustic droppings. The head of the archaeological park of Pompeii In any case, the climate is almost alarming. Pigeon droppings are highly aggressive due to their acidity, so they represent a serious danger to the fresh and sensitive archaeological represents discoveries.
Nothing helped to protect themselves from the pigeon plague. But now everything should be different. Hopes lie with the “winged guardians”: the falcon Aria and the vulture Gianna. Like a dream team of the skies, they should Excavations at the historic site of Pompeii in Italy protect.
Pompeii: How birds of prey are supposed to scare away annoying pigeons
But some people wonder what the two are Birds against swarms of pigeons? The presence of trained hunters alone is enough to prevent bird colonies from nesting and resting in archaeological areas, according to the archaeological park’s statement on volcano Vesuvius.
Pompeii uses birds of prey as “guardians” against pigeons. The falcon Aria and the vulture Gianna were supposed to protect the archaeological excavations from pigeons.
© Pompeii Archaeological Park | Pompeii Archaeological Park
Something absolutely has to be done because the pressure to reproduce Pigeons be huge. His innate ability, even in winter The laying of eggs causes a flood of offspring, which is seen as a major disruption, especially in Pompeii, the historic site’s protectors complain.
Falconry is an important tool for protecting excavations
And it already seems that the birds’ campaign is not Mission Impossible. On the contrary: Gianna and Aria, circling in the sky of Pompeii, are more than frightening to the pigeons. The birds of prey scared them, they say enthusiastically. Excavation park. The result was impressive: the flying guardians disturbed the pigeons with their elegant and powerful wings and thus prevented them from getting theirs. Houses ramp up.
“Falconry is a valuable tool for protecting the excavations. Our priority is to preserve this archaeological site for future generations ecological methods. Nature and technology can work together to protect cultural heritage,” emphasizes biologist Paola Barile, who works as a falconry team in Pompeii with her assistant Pasquale Giorgio.
O Anti-aircraft defense It’s not witchcraft, they say. You use the natural hunting instinct of birds of prey. However, you also needed to be extremely careful with both. Aria and Gianna First we became very familiar with the area. After that, they took to the skies from time to time.
The falcon Aria and the vulture Gianna are tasked with protecting the archaeological excavations in Pompeii, at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, from annoying pigeons.
© Pompeii Archaeological Park | Pompeii Archaeological Park
The key to Success be a constant but irregular presence. This is the only way to achieve total uncertainty. Pigeons have to be fooled; they are very intelligent and will quickly recognize whether it is just a daily excursion of birds of prey or a real danger. The more unpredictable it is, the more frightening it will be for the pigeons. Therefore, the presence of birds of prey had to vary greatly.
Pompeii: Will birds of prey be replaced by drones in the future?
The German director of the archaeological park, Gabrielzuchtriegel, is pleased with the campaign. “Our aim is to prevent pigeons from colonizing the area. We want to prevent them from settling here because they have an impact on the environment.” major damage. O Cost for cleaning feces are high. “We therefore think that we will continue to work with the falconers,” Bredingriegel told our editorial team.
Trained birds are supposed to keep pigeons away from archaeological dig sites. Pigeon droppings, in particular, pose a risk to historical relics.
© Pompeii Archaeological Park | Pompeii Archaeological Park
The birds of prey system had already been developed during his tenure as director of the Paestum archaeological park Southern Italy tested. “However, the area there is much smaller, so the use of birds of prey in Pompeii is greater Challenge“, emphasizes the archaeologist.
But there are still methods that can be used to outshine Aria and Gianna. Andrea Lunerti, one of the most well-known experts in the treatment of birds of prey, snakes, wild boars and deer, now has a drone developed, the pigeons and seagulls of the terraces and balconies keeps its distance. The drone emits sounds and pulses of light that scare away birds. The small, highly maneuverable device is controlled by a helmet-wearing pilot.
“Afraid of the drone’s noise, the birds move away and avoid building their nests there. They then do not return because they consider this place unsafe. drone has a rubber propeller that won’t hurt anyone. We’re still in the Test phasebut the results in the fight against seagulls are encouraging”, Lunerti tells our newsroom.
Pests settle on the walls of houses
The problem of pigeon droppings is also called Pigeon tickwhich is considered particularly dangerous, according to Lunerti. “This tick also nests in the walls of houses and can be dangerous to health,” the ethologist emphasizes. Arachnids They remain during the day in caves, holes or crevices near the nests of their host animals. For further development, each larval stage must suck blood once over several days. Adult females ingest blood several times over 20 to 40 minutes and then lay 12 to 70 eggs each. To date, allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock, have been reliably proven in humans, according to experts.