Tampere council member proposes closing 90-year-old city bird enclosure over ethical concerns

A Tampere city councillor has submitted a motion to dismantle the Sorsapark bird enclosure, arguing that confining birds for public display is unethical and no longer aligns with modern values, Yle reports.

Minna Minkkinen of the Left Alliance, who introduced the proposal, stated that birds “should not be kept in enclosures” and that maintaining the nearly 90-year-old attraction does not fall under the city’s core responsibilities. The enclosure, which houses chickens and other birds in caged areas, has faced criticism for restricting the park’s use as an event space due to noise concerns for the animals.

The motion highlights welfare issues, including cramped and unstimulating conditions, disrupted social structures, and stress from constant human exposure without retreat. Minkkinen also questioned the educational value of the enclosure, suggesting that observing wild birds in nature—possibly with added features like birdwatching towers—would be a more sustainable approach. “It’s not sustainable to think that our only relationship with birds should be through an enclosure,” she said.

City foreman Titta Holmala-Kylmäkoski, responsible for the birds’ welfare, countered that there has been no vandalism during her tenure and that daily cleaning, feeding checks, and enrichment activities like swings and peat baths are standard. Veterinary inspections occur biennially, and no birds were brought in during avian flu outbreaks. She acknowledged the enclosure’s popularity, noting that visitors anticipate the birds’ seasonal return each year.

The enclosure dates to 1939, when city gardener Viljo Tarko introduced birds to attract more visitors. Cages were added in 1953 to protect the animals from disturbance. Today, the collection includes rare breeds like Easter eggers and Ayam Cemani chickens. Minkkinen’s motion proposes relocating the birds to ethically approved homes if the enclosure closes.