TfL shoots 655 pigeons in two-year London Underground cull

Transport for London has shot and killed 655 pigeons in a two-year cull across the London Underground network. The operations, carried out between March 2024 and March 2026, involved 123 organised shoots at stations and depots, including Hendon Central, Arnos Grove and Woodford. The figures were obtained by campaign group Manchester Pigeon Rehab and reported by *The Standard*.

The cull targeted birds nesting on ledges and in netting, with shoots conducted between midnight and 5am to avoid passenger disruption. Evidence gathered by the group shows that 17 active nests were removed and at least seven dependent chicks were killed or taken away. Two fledglings were removed from Hendon Central station, while 10-day-old chicks were found dead at Arnos Grove.

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Welfare concerns raised

Manchester Pigeon Rehab has filed a crime report with British Transport Police, alleging that the cull caused unnecessary suffering. The group provided images showing dead pigeons piled on platforms and a worker stepping on a bleeding bird at Stanmore station. In one incident at Arnos Grove, a TfL job report confirmed that four shots were fired at a single pigeon.

On 12 occasions, pigeons became trapped in netting installed at stations. Instead of releasing the birds, workers shot them, with three such incidents recorded at Woodford station. Some birds escaped after being shot, including one at New Cross Gate Depot that flew onto live tracks. The condition of these birds remains unknown.

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“We reject TfL’s stance that these bird shoots were humane. We believe Transport for London should immediately end lethal control in favour of habitat modification, humane deterrents and other non-lethal management measures.”

Manchester Pigeon Rehab, as reported by *The Standard*

TfL defends lethal control as last resort

TfL operates under a GL41 licence, which permits pigeon control for public health and safety reasons. The licence requires that lethal methods are used only as a last resort and that suffering is minimised. Pest control services were contracted to AGS One, a TfL supplier awarded Supplier of the Year in 2019.

In a statement to *Metro*, TfL said it prioritises prevention and non-lethal methods. The authority stated that pigeon waste carries risks of bacteria and insects, while nests can create fire hazards and structural damage. Lethal control is used only when other deterrents fail, and TfL has increased mitigations at stations and depots.

What happens next

British Transport Police are reviewing the crime report filed by Manchester Pigeon Rehab. TfL has not announced any changes to its pigeon control policy. Residents near affected stations may notice fewer pigeons, but the authority has not confirmed whether further culls are planned. The campaign group continues to advocate for non-lethal alternatives, such as habitat modification and humane deterrents.