Animals Schwäbis aviary closes after more than 100 years

After more than 100 years, the aviary at Schwäbis in Thun is to be closed. This has been decided by the Thun municipal council. According to the canton, the facility needs to be renovated so that birds can be kept in an animal-friendly environment. However, the costs for this are too high for the city.

The municipal council no longer considers keeping birds in cages to be in keeping with the times anyway, the city of Thun announced on Monday. It is examining a new use for the listed building. For example, it could be used as a snack bar or incorporated into the Schwäbis river baths.

The aviary was built in 1918 by the Thun Ornithological Society. It has been owned by the city since 1953. Most recently, it was used by the Schwäbis Aviary Association to keep exotic birds.

At the beginning of this year, the cantonal veterinary office visited the facility and decided that it was no longer acceptable to continue keeping the birds for reasons of hygiene and animal welfare. The city would either have to renovate the facility or close the aviary at the end of the year.

However, the building is in a poor structural condition and is in great need of renovation, according to the city of Thun. The rough cost estimate is around 270,000 francs.

SDA