Wind strands hundreds of racing pigeons on Lanyu

The China Post news staff
April 13, 2013, 12:07 am TWN

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Hundreds of racing pigeons were found stranded on Lanyu Island (Orchid Island, 蘭嶼) recently, with heavy northeastern winds cited as a cause. The pigeons were flying back to Taiwan as part of a pigeon-race which began at sea in Taitung Fugang (富岡外海).
According to a pigeon-racing enthusiast, the pigeons, which were raised in Keelung County (基隆線), have lost their market value after being stranded on Lanyu Island. The enthusiast said the value has dropped from tens of thousands of New Taiwan dollars to less than NT$100 per pigeon.
Lanyu residents said no one is rearing the pigeons on the island, however, many pigeons have recently been found wandering and flying on school campuses and streets.
A pigeon-racing enthusiast said the race began earlier on Wednesday, adding that the pigeons possibly drank sea water and so lost the strength to return to Taiwan.
He added that Wednesday was just the first round of the race, so those pigeons stranded on Lanyu Island will be eliminated from the competition.
Lanyu Island Dong-chin Elementary School (東清國小) Principle Wen Shang-te (溫上德) said based on previous experience, many racing-pigeons fly to Lanyu between November and December due to strong seasonal winds. Wen added that it is very difficult for pigeons to fly over to Lanyu between April and May, as winds are not strong enough.
A Lanyu resident said that in the past, people have captured the racing pigeons and cooked them. In the wake of the H7N9 influenza outbreak in mainland China, however, people dare not capture the pigeons.
Doctors advised people who want to feed the pigeons to stay at least one meter away.