Fertility control for feral pigeons? Wildlife academics gather in York to debate using contraception to manage animal numbers - University of York

Leading wildlife academics from around the world are set to gather in York for a major workshop exploring how contraception could be used as a humane alternative to controlling animals that have widespread ecological and economic impacts.

These impacts include the spread of disease, crop and forestry damage, reduction of native plant and animal species and road traffic accidents.

As part of the interactive workshop being held at the University of York, experts and participants will discuss how best to limit numbers of grey squirrels, wild boar, deer, feral goats, pigeons, rats and other wildlife to mitigate these impacts

Ecologically critical

A key approach to be highlighted will be the need to develop contraceptives for animals. These contraceptives would provide conservationists and farmers with a means to curtail animal numbers in a non-lethal, more publicly acceptable way.

According to Dr Giovanna Massei, Europe Director, Botstiber Institute of Wildlife Fertility Control and Professor at the University of York, the problem is likely to get much worse over the coming years and is a pressing and critical ecological issue both here in the UK and around the world.