Mallorca: 2,000 pigeons released for shooting contest
Around 2,000 pigeons are due to be released in Felanitx, Mallorca, on Sunday for a shooting contest. The environmental group GOB has condemned the planned event, known in Spanish as tiro al pichón, in which live birds are let loose as targets.
The Balearic Hunting Federation is organising the competition, with support from the Department of Environment, Rural Affairs and Sports of the Mallorca Island Council, according to GOB. The group says it is unjustifiable in 2026 to revive a sport based on turning living animals into shooting targets.
Ban removed in June
The Balearic Islands banned pigeon shooting in 2017. Animal-protection law specifically prohibited competitions involving pigeons and partridges.
That restriction was removed this year through the strategic projects law, promoted by the Govern and passed by Parliament. The change took effect on 14 June.
GOB links change to PP-Vox deal
GOB says the Govern has bowed to demands from the far right and weakened animal protection. It links the legal change to political agreements between PP and Vox, saying Vox publicly called for the ban to be scrapped during the parliamentary debate.
The group says Catalonia and Murcia still expressly ban pigeon shooting. It also points to France, Portugal, Denmark, Romania and Slovenia, where using pigeons or other live animals as shooting targets is prohibited.
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com