The George Washington Bridge Bus Station (GWBBS) contracted with pest control company, Bell Environmental Services, Inc., to exclusion net their bus terminal underpass in August of 2026. Hundreds of pigeons have lost their generational home since, while ~20 birds lost their lives, including babies and juveniles. Twelve babies were taken from their nests and permanently separated from their parents and sent to rehab care.

Bell Environmental set baited traps inside the netting but not every bird has been able or willing to make it into the trap. Bell failed to completely seal the netting, and the gaps left behind have turned the structure into a seemingly endless cycle of trap and release for these birds who are just trying to go home or find their babies. Birds are subjected to excessive stress in the netting and also in the small metal wired traps where they are often left crammed for days before release. Initially, the Port Authority was intermittently coordinating with wildlife rescuers to safely remove some of these birds who would not go into the traps—but as the Port and Bell expand their netting into the back cooler room, they have ceased cooperating with wildlife rescuers to remove birds who are in imminent danger of death. The birds who will not enter a trap have it even worse than the trapped birds—they are left in the netting with no food or water, and since the Port stopped cooperating with advocates, no one will come for them.

As of October 4, two birds remain trapped in the cooler room netting, one for 10 days and another for an unknown number of days, but the Port steadfastly refuses to take those birds out and hand them to licensed rehabbers. It is hard to understand how they are still alive after ten days, but their weakened condition explains why they have not made it to the baited traps, because after 10 days, they are too weak and stressed to make the attempt.

The Port and Bell have known about the 10-day bird since at least September 24. They also know what refusal means—two birds who would not go into their trap died of organ failure after five days trapped in the netting. Leaving the 10-day bird and their friend trapped in the cooler room netting is not an oversight—it is a decision that the Port and Bell know will kill them.

The Port Authority and Bell Environmental are not exempt from animal cruelty laws. New York City Local Law 17-200 makes it a misdemeanor to net, trap, or injure any wild bird, including pigeons. Each violation carries a fine of up to $1,000 and up to a year in jail. The Port and Bell have been doing exactly this since August.

We cannot lose any more lives to a flawed and inhumane netting project.

As someone who deeply cares about wildlife and animal welfare, it is heartbreaking to witness institutionalized animal cruelty. Pigeons and other birds deserve our compassion and respect, just like any other living being.

I call on all compassionate individuals to stand up for these voiceless birds and urge the Port Authority to take immediate action to safely remove any birds remaining in their netting or traps and permanently seal any remaining holes in their netting.

Please sign this petition to demand immediate action to rescue the remaining trapped birds and ensure their safe passage to rehab and freedom. Together, we can make a difference for these birds. Pigeon Lives Matter!