Only in Hollywood would birds ever be given a form of birth control. According to the Argyle Civic Association, the group leading the contraceptive initiative, the birds are just too numerous. Not only are they considered a nuisance, but apparently, in the words of the group’s president, they “poop” too much. Once again, ladies and gentlemen, only in Hollywood.
Unlike women on oral contraceptives, pigeons will not have to deal with the irritating issue of daily compliance. Nor will they freak out if they happen to miss a day. Designed by Innolytics, the pill, called OvoControl P, will be given to the pigeons in a nonchalant fashion where it will be placed amid the birdfeed in rooftop feeders where it can then be ingested by the birds without them even realizing. The electric fences or fatal poisons which have often been used as a means of population control often go contested by certain animal-rights groups and activists. OvoControl P, on the other hand, contains the substance, nicarbazin, which interferes with the egg’s development, preventing it from hatching. It is therefore regarded as a more natural or humane way of dealing with the pesky pigeon population. In fact, OvoControl P is even registered with the state Department of Pesticide Regulation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The initiative is also wholeheartedly supported by the Humane Society of the United States along with the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). There is no doubt about it though; figures do show that Hollywood does, in fact, have a disproportionate amount of pigeons. This could be attributed, in part, to Mary Poppins and her “feed the birds” mantra. According to calculations, there has been approximately one hundred and twelve tons of bird seed dropped on Hollywood’s streets every year. Six thousand pigeons have even been reported in one Hollywood neighbourhood. Oh, the posh life of a Hollywood pigeon draws to a close...needless to say, however, I am certain that these pigeons have truly left their mark on the Hollywood Walk ofFame.
