Sydney, Jan. 15, (dpa/GNA) – A racing pigeon that turned up in a Melbourne backyard with what appeared to be a United States tag is being investigated by Australian biosecurity officers and could be killed.
Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment said Friday it was looking to isolate the bird.
“Humane destruction of the bird is the best safeguard for Australian poultry and wildlife,” the department said, but added that the bird could be exported back to the US if the relevant authorities there agreed.
The authenticity of the US identification tag is also being investigated. If it did come from the US, officials said it was likely a “hitchhiker” on a cargo vessel.
American Racing Pigeon Union spokeswoman Deone Roberts said she believes the identification band is counterfeit.
“The bird’s home is in Australia somewhere, not the US,” she told Australian 9News.
Melbourne resident Kevin Celli-Bird told Australian broadcaster Channel 7 he found the pigeon on December 26 and googled its tracking band. The results showed it was registered to someone in Montgomery, Alabama, he said. The network said he was contacted by Australian government officials after speaking to the media.
The bird has been named Joe after US President-elect Joe Biden, according to Australian media.
Asked about the pigeon’s fate, Australia’s acting prime minister Michael McCormack said he wasn’t familiar with the case but that the bird should “fly home or face the consequences,” Australian news agency AAP reported.
“If Joe has come in a way that has not met our strict biosecurity measures, then bad luck Joe,” McCormack said.
GNA