Some controversy regarding the aviary on the Landsgemeindeplatz

The bird aviary on the Landsgemeindeplatz in the city of Zug is causing a controversy: some people love it, while others want it gone as quickly as possible.

“How contemporary is this animal show?”: that was the question in an article in the “Zuger Zeitung” newspaper asking whether the city of Zug should increase its annual contribution for the aviary (‘Voliere’) from CHF 120,000 to CHF 160,000. This report has sparked a bit of a controversy on the “Zuger Zeitung” Facebook page, which exemplifies how differently this aviary is perceived.

There’s no need for something like that.
“I find it distressing to see the birds in these aviaries,” wrote one reader. She also wrote that the idea that the aviary could move to the Zurlaubenhof, as is currently being discussed politically, “is nonsensical.” The birds that are kept in the Lewa Savannah at Zurich Zoo, for example, have a better life than the birds in migration. The comment continues in a similar direction: “It would be nice if aviaries were designed/rebuilt in a species-appropriate manner and that no new animals would be brought in when they die. We don’t need something like that anymore, and it also doesn’t protect them.” This Facebook commenter also writes plainly: “It’s a horror to see these animals there ... For what?” This opinion here is also consistent: “These aviaries are absolutely unworthy. That something like this is even allowed to exist in this day and age!”

The bird aviary at Landsgemeindeplatz in Zug: How contemporary is that?              Photo: Matthias Jurt

“The aviaries are appreciated”
But there is also support for the aviaries. In the above-mentioned article in the “Zuger Zeitung” newspaper, one person wrote that “the aviaries are already designed in a species-appropriate manner and there is even more space available than required. Whether you need it or not is definitely up to you - I enjoy watching the birds because I can't have any myself." There is also agreement with this thought: “The aviaries and the deer park are appreciated. Why are they not species-appropriate?” Or: “I like the aviary and I think it would be a shame if it wasn’t supported.” Another person commented approvingly on the article mentioned: “Almost 40 years ago, the bird aviary was the centre of attraction in Zug, both for our children and for us. How nice that it still means a lot to many people today, regardless of age. Thanks to the care of the responsible staff, the birds are doing very well.”

The City of Zug, together with the Ornithological Association of the City of Zug (OVZ), is also dealing with the question of whether animal husbandry in the middle of the city is still modern and can promote biodiversity: They are currently looking for a better location, where the birds can be kept in a more modern way. But the existing facility is also sufficient, and even more so, as the OVZ emphasized: the enclosure sizes even exceed the legally updated requirements, and the quality of life of the animals was “excellent” (as the “Zuger Zeitung” newspaper reported).

The bird aviary on the Landsgemeindeplatz is not a particular target on the radar of the Veterinary Office (Veterinäramt) of the canton of Zug. On request, the deputy cantonal veterinarian Kai Caspari said: “Basically, all animal welfare-related requirements must be met, and if that is done, everything is fine. We have no indication that this should not be the case.”