Torrevieja, Spain — About thirty chickens that freely roamed the streets of Torrevieja have been found dead, apparently poisoned, prompting an investigation by the local environmental police. The discovery has raised concerns that other animals—such as dogs and cats—could also be at risk.
Authorities believe the birds may have ingested poisoned food deliberately left in one area, though toxicology results on the food and carcasses are still pending. The dead birds have been taken to the municipal animal shelter for preservation while the investigation continues.
Concha Sala, the local councillor for Animal Welfare, confirmed that environmental police are conducting close monitoring of the situation. She also noted that the company recently contracted to capture and manage the city’s wild bird population will soon begin work following a meeting with the municipal veterinarian.
Torrevieja has long struggled with a growing population of free-roaming chickens and roosters that inhabit parks and residential areas, sometimes disturbing residents. Earlier this year, the city faced delays in hiring a company to manage the problem after the first contractor withdrew, citing underestimated costs. The contract—worth €33,600—was finally awarded this month to the firm Adda Ops for a one-year period.
The initiative aims to reduce public health risks, prevent road accidents, and address concerns raised by regional authorities, who classified Torrevieja as a “high-risk zone” following outbreaks of avian flu elsewhere in Spain. The contractor is required by law to capture the birds humanely and relocate them to an animal sanctuary rather than euthanize them.
The chicken population in Torrevieja dates back over three decades to the creation of the Parque de las Naciones in the 1990s, where the city initially released ducks, geese, and chickens. Over time, these birds have spread to other urban green spaces across the municipality.
