RATP Faces Scrutiny Over Bird Deaths at Paris Metro Line 6 Station

The RATP, Paris’s public transport operator, is under fire from animal welfare advocates over the deaths of dozens of pigeons trapped in safety nets beneath the Dupleix station viaduct on Metro Line 6. Despite repeated warnings, the RATP has been accused of inaction, leading to what critics call an “animal abuse scandal.”

Deadly Nets: A Preventable Tragedy

The nets, originally installed to prevent bird droppings from damaging the market and infrastructure, have become death traps due to lack of maintenance. Pigeons are entering through tears in the netting and becoming entangled, leading to exhaustion, starvation, thirst, and death. Young birds born within the nets have no chance of survival.

Association FUTUR Calls for Immediate Action

The FUTUR association has been advocating for a resolution to this issue, criticizing the RATP’s “persistent inaction.” According to FUTUR, the RATP has been aware of the problem for years but has offered only “dilatory responses” without taking concrete steps to repair or remove the nets. FUTUR asserts that the solution is “known, simple and immediately applicable.”

Discrepancies in RATP Communication

When questioned about the situation, the RATP stated it was “sensitive to the animal condition” and in contact with the City of Paris’s “Animals in the City” Mission and the AERHO association to explore best practices. However, Didier Lapostre, president of AERHO, denies these claims, stating that they have not had any contact with the RATP for two years. This discrepancy raises concerns about the accuracy of the RATP’s public statements.

The Ethical Considerations of Urban Wildlife

Animal welfare advocates argue that pigeons are often unfairly demonized as “pests” and that this perception allows for the neglect of their suffering. They emphasize that pigeons are intelligent, sensitive creatures capable of complex emotions and social bonds, and deserve consideration within the urban environment.

FUTUR’s Demands

The FUTUR association, having garnered 75 million views in 2025, is demanding the following from RATP management:

• The immediate liberation of all birds currently trapped in the nets.
• The immediate repair or, preferably, removal of the nets.

Call to Action

FUTUR is urging citizens to contact the RATP directly to demand intervention and a lasting solution to this problem.

As of October 2025, Paris Metro Line 6 operates with 12 MP 73 trains and 33 MP 89CC trains according to Wikipedia.