- Growing wild hen population in Torrevieja raising health, noise, and animal welfare concerns.
- Residents are divided between complaints and caretaking of the birds.
- AnimaNaturalis has formally requested public facts on the city council’s management plans.
- The organization urges ethical, non-lethal alternatives like sterilization and relocation.
- Demand for transparency and humane treatment emphasized over mass culling of hens.
Concerns Rise Over the Growing Hen Population in Torrevieja
Torrevieja, Spain – August 25, 2025
Demand for Transparency from Torrevieja City Council
The local animal rights group AnimaNaturalis has stepped in amid concerns and uncertainty by submitting a formal request for public information from the Torrevieja City Council. The goal is to gather clarity on:
- Existing technical or legal reports regarding the hen population situation.
- Decisions already made or planned in response to the issue.
- Ethical and non-lethal alternatives under consideration for managing the birds.
So far, residents and activists feel a lack of clear interaction and fear that drastic measures such as large-scale culling might be the default solution.
Humane management Alternatives Proposed
AnimaNaturalis stresses that any population control strategy must be respectful and compassionate. they encourage the municipality to explore responsible methods such as:
- Sterilization and reproductive control to gradually stabilize numbers.
- relocation of hens to suitable environments or animal sanctuaries.
- Cooperation with animal welfare organizations for ongoing care and monitoring.
The group condemns “indiscriminate elimination” as an unacceptable first choice and calls on the council to uphold ethical standards in animal treatment.
Community Divided
The situation has revealed a split among the local population:
| Residents Complaining | Residents Caring for Hens |
|---|---|
| Reported noise disturbances, especially at night | Regularly feeding and protecting the hens |
| Concerns about public health and sanitation | View hens as part of local fauna requiring care |
| Some cases of unauthorized taking of eggs or hens | No significant disturbance noticed despite the population |
What Happens Next?
AnimaNaturalis is awaiting the official reply from the Torrevieja authorities to decide if further legal action will be needed to ensure that the response to the hen population crisis is both fair and ethical. The organization reminds the public that animals deserve dignity and protection, especially in urban environments facing such challenges.
Supporters can contribute to AnimaNaturalis’ mission of advocating for animal rights and humane solutions across Spain and beyond.
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