Vogel paradise destroyed: activist makes serious allegations against city!

Vogel paradise destroyed: activist makes serious allegations against city!

Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus, Österreich - In Rudolfsheimer Reichsapfelgasse, a school renovation has caused excitement. An important retreat for birds was removed within just 48 hours, and in the middle of the breeding season. Animal rights activist and artist Anne Eck was on site and was shocked by the destruction of the dense hedge, which served as a habitat for many birds. After the clearing, branches and nests were on the ground, a terrifying picture for nature lovers.

Eck, which had already requested MA 56 (Wiener Schools) in April and received a written confirmation that the hedge was preserved, it could hardly be grasped. Construction workers with chainsaws and a clearing notice, issued by the MA 56, had moved back two days before the clearing. An employee found a destroyed nest with eggs that later disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

a violation of nature conservation laws?

The incident happened during the breeding season and raises questions, especially with regard to the Vienna Nature Conservation Act, which in such cases makes strict requirements. Anne Eck is convinced that not only was urban nature was dealt with here, but was also violated against existing laws. She has informed several jobs, including MA 56, MA 22, Wiener Wohnen, district head Dietmar BauRecht, the environmental administration, animal welfare Austria and City Councilor Jürgen Czernohorszky to request information and consequences.

eck wants more mindfulness towards urban nature as well as clear rules and transparent communication. To sensitize the problematic procedure, she documents the incident on Instagram and Facebook. So far, comments from MA 56 and the district head have been pending.

The protection of the birds in focus

In the further context, the incident is not only a local matter, but also affects basic European nature conservation guidelines. Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and the Council obliges the Member States to maintain and restore lives for wild bird species, including the important migratory birds. It is not only necessary to set up protected areas, but also to ensure corresponding protection for all types of birds, as is set in the Federal Nature Conservation Act. Nature conservation explains that this also includes bans against the deliberate killing or disturbing of birds.

In Austria, the protection of birds is conveyed by the Lower Austrian Nature Conservation Act and by the Federal Nature Conservation Act, which implements the corresponding EU requirements. It remains to be seen how the fifth house is now being implemented in Rudolfsheim. It is clear that such incidents should focus on ensuring habitats for birds in our cities.

The discussion about the concerns of urban nature and animal welfare will certainly gain in importance after this incident. So that all these voices are heard and our feathered friends have a safe place to nest, the responsibility lies with all.

For further information on the legal foundations of bird protection, visit Wildvogelhilfe .

The case shows how important it is to deal with urban nature carefully and that we all have to have a good knack in protecting our environment.