Hawks are set to be deployed to manage pigeon populations at the new Elephant and Castle shopping center in London, according to planning documents.
The £500 million redevelopment, named The Elephant, is slated to open later this year and will feature approximately 40 to 50 shops, 485 homes, a cinema, and a college campus.
Developers Get Living have stated that the scheme will incorporate 'regular hawking' as a non-harmful method to encourage pigeons to relocate. In planning documents submitted recently, the company also committed to installing additional bird netting under the bridge across New Kent Road and undertaking 'bird roosting prevention works' to mitigate pigeon congregation.
The previous iteration of the Elephant and Castle shopping center, which opened in 1965 and was demolished in 2021, had become overrun with pigeons in its final years. Developers aim to prevent a similar issue from affecting the new mall.
Falconry has been employed in other public spaces to address pigeon problems. Earlier this year, hawks were used to deter pigeons from Chelmsford station in Essex due to concerns about hazardous droppings damaging the building. Train operator Greater Anglia found Harris's hawks effective due to their pack-hunting nature and bond with trainers, while gyrfalcons were also utilized for their visibility as natural predators. Hawks have also been a presence at London's Waterloo and Euston stations, as well as Cambridge station. Wimbledon has also employed a bird of prey for 18 years to keep pigeons away from the tennis courts.