Pigeon Who Went On A 13,000 km Global Adventure May Be Killed For Breaking Quarantine

After a multi-thousand kilometre adventure across the Pacific Ocean, one American racing pigeon now faces death for breaking quarantine rules.

On December 26, the exhausted bird was discovered in a backyard in Canberra, Australia. It had travelled from Oregon, U.S. on October 29, after disappearing from a race.

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13,000 km The length of the journey

In the Australian capital, around 8,000 miles from his departure location, the bird was named Joe after U.S. President-elect Joe Biden. 

It’s believed he hitched a ride on a cargo ship to cross the Pacific, before stopping for a break in an Aussie backyard.

While news of his adventure caught the attention of the country, he’s also come onto the radar of the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Services.

The authorities say the bird is “not permitted to remain in Australia” because it “could compromise Australia’s food security and our wild bird populations,” according to Global News.

“It poses a direct biosecurity risk to Australian bird life and our poultry industry,” reads a statement from the department.

Joe's fate doesn't look pretty right now, as quarantine officials are considering hiring a professional bird catcher to get hold of him.

The bird will likely be put down once captured.

*This article's cover image is for illustrative purposes only.