Fowl play: The criminals stealing elite racing pigeons
CBS News • • world
Key Points:
- Tom Van Gaver's prized racing pigeon, Finn, valued as part of a $1.6 million theft, was stolen amid a surge of pigeon robberies linked to an international "pigeon mafia" involved in smuggling and black market sales.
- Pigeon racing, a lucrative sport with races offering purses exceeding $1 million, has evolved into a global industry, with elite pigeons fetching millions at auctions, notably driven by Chinese buyers.
- The "pigeon mafia" operates internationally, smuggling stolen pigeons to breed and sell offspring, prompting increased security measures and DNA testing to protect valuable birds and prove ownership.
- Belgian police recovered 165 pigeons, including many stolen birds, after investigations led to a Romanian suspect, but the whereabouts of some key pigeons like Finn remain unknown.
- Despite convictions and increased protections, pigeon fanciers remain vigilant in safeguarding their birds, with DNA databases playing a crucial role in combating theft and illegal sales in the pigeon racing community.
