A pigeon has been trapped inside Tesco Extra at Holmbush Shopping Centre in Shoreham for several days, prompting rescue attempts and raising broader concerns about wildlife management in commercial and urban settings.
A pigeon has been trapped inside the Tesco Extra at Holmbush Shopping Centre in Shoreham for several days, prompting concerns from shoppers and animal welfare advocates alike. Eyewitnesses reported seeing multiple birds flitting around the store, particularly in the bakery area, where they have been observed “flying back and forth” between aisles. Images circulated by customers depict the birds perched on a milk sign high above the shelves, underscoring the unusual sight within the bustling retail environment.
Volunteers from Brighton and Hove Wildlife Rescue attempted to rescue the trapped pigeon on May 18 but were unsuccessful. They plan to return to the store in hopes of capturing the bird safely. Sompting Wildlife Rescue, which has dealt with similar incidents in the area, noted that this occurrence is not an isolated event; they have attended to multiple birds trapped in commercial settings, reflecting a broader issue that stores must navigate.
In an official comment, a spokesperson for Tesco stated that only one pigeon remains trapped and emphasised that the store continues to operate normally, assuring customers that hygiene standards are not compromised by the situation. However, the incident has sparked a discussion about the complexities of managing wildlife within commercial spaces, particularly in light of a similar case at a Tesco in Ryde, where a wood pigeon escaped after being trapped for several days. This earlier event highlights the challenges of safely luring trapped birds out, as well as the need for humane strategies to handle such occurrences.
Concerns about bird welfare extend beyond the current incident. Past reports have raised alarms over dead pigeons found entangled in netting at various locations, including a Tesco in Hove. Local residents expressed their outrage over the lack of preventive measures, leading to intervention from the RSPCA, which urged for immediate action to rectify the problem. Tesco acknowledged past issues with netting and committed to improving their systems to ensure that such tragedies do not reoccur.
The plight of birds in urban settings is further illustrated by recent events where multiple birds were trapped in construction zones. An alarming situation arose after contractors repaired a roof without considering wildlife presence, resulting in the deaths of dozens of pigeons. Such incidents stress the need for construction and commercial entities to adopt more wildlife-conscious practices, echoing concerns from animal welfare organisations about ensuring the humane treatment of all creatures in urban areas.
As communities continue to navigate the coexistence of human activities and wildlife, incidents like the one at Tesco in Shoreham serve as a potent reminder of the need for awareness and proactive measures. With rescuers planning further attempts to capture the trapped pigeon, the hope remains that this bird, unlike others caught in more perilous situations, will eventually find its way back to freedom, highlighting the importance of empathy and responsibility towards our feathered neighbours in everyday environments.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/25177610.pigeons-trapped-inside-tesco-express-superstore-shoreham/?ref=rss – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.islandecho.co.uk/pigeon-trapped-inside-ryde-supermarket-escaped-over-the-weekend/ – A wood pigeon was trapped inside Ryde’s Tesco Extra store for several days without food or water. Attempts to lure the bird out were unsuccessful, but it eventually escaped on its own after five days. The incident highlights the challenges of dealing with birds trapped in commercial spaces and the importance of humane solutions.
- https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/18665509.hove-tesco-concerns-dead-pigeons-trapped-netting/ – Shoppers at a Tesco store in Hove expressed concern over dead pigeons trapped in netting installed to prevent birds from accessing the roof space. The RSPCA intervened, urging the store to resolve the issue promptly. Tesco acknowledged the problem and committed to repairing the netting to prevent future incidents.
- https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/people/birds-trapped-and-and-left-to-die-in-cruel-netting-at-shoreham-railway-station-982293 – Birds were found trapped and left to die in netting at Shoreham railway station. Commuters reported seeing dead doves caught in the netting, leading to public outcry. Southern Rail responded by removing the netting and consulting pest control contractors for alternative deterrents to prevent future incidents.
- https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hampshire-56127438 – Dozens of pigeons were trapped in an attic after contractors repaired a roof hole without checking for signs of life. At least 20 birds died, and 76 were rescued. The incident underscores the importance of ensuring that construction work does not harm wildlife and highlights the need for proper procedures.
- https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/video-all-in-a-flap-44817/ – A pigeon became trapped in a window display at Morrisons in Maidstone. The startled bird appeared to be trying to get hold of a bag for life. A Good Samaritan managed to catch the creature and safely escort it out of the store, highlighting the occasional challenges of birds entering commercial spaces.
- https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/24134690.magpie-left-trapped-bournemouth-tesco-two-weeks/ – A magpie was spotted fluttering around a Tesco supermarket in Bournemouth for more than two weeks, leaving customers baffled. The bird was seen perching on various store fixtures, and despite efforts to capture it using a net, the bird remained in the store, raising concerns among shoppers about its well-being.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative involves recent events and is likely to be current, as it discusses an ongoing situation with a specific rescue attempt on May 18 and ongoing concerns about bird welfare.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
No direct quotes were found in the narrative that could be verified against earlier sources. The absence of direct quotes means there is no evidence of copied content, which could indicate original reporting.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable local news source, The Argus, which is known for reporting on local issues. This contributes to its reliability, though it may not be as internationally recognised as major global news outlets.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about birds being trapped in commercial spaces are plausible and consistent with documented incidents. The narrative also highlights broader issues of wildlife management in urban settings.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is likely to be current, involves plausible claims, and originates from a reputable source. While direct quotes could not be verified, the lack thereof does not detract from the narrative’s credibility.
