Amid strict quarantine measures implemented by Australia, Australian authorities intend to execute a pigeon that crossed the Pacific Ocean from the United States for violating health quarantine regulations.
The pigeon participated in a race in Oregon, USA, but lost its way in Melbourne after nearly two months. Considering it a direct threat to the environmental security of birds and poultry in Australia, authorities plan to capture the bird, named "Joe," and put it to death. "Joe" was found in the backyard of an Australian citizen named Kevin Seely-Bird, who described the bird as very frail. Seely-Bird told the Associated Press that "Joe," registered to a person in Alabama, was last seen during a pigeon racing event in Oregon, USA. After the story of "Joe" spread in the Australian media, Seely-Bird received calls from officials expressing concern that the bird posed a risk of transmitting disease. For its part, the Department of Agriculture, Water, and the Environment stated that it would have to euthanize the bird to prevent any potential disease transmission to local birds. The department said in a statement: "Regardless of the bird's origin, no domesticated bird that does not meet the required health import standards and necessary laboratory requirements is allowed to remain in Australia." Given the vast distance of nearly 8,000 miles between the west coast of the United States and southern Australia, officials suspect the bird may have traveled as a stowaway on a shipping vessel. Australian law allows the legal transport of pigeons to the country, but the process is difficult and can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
