The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Customers fear robin trapped in Aldi will be killed by ‘pest control’
A bird trapped in an Aldi store in Aviemore is to be released back into the wild after customers feared it would be killed.
The robin redbreast took up residence in the town’s supermarket after failing to find its way out. Staff efforts to help the bird proved unsuccessful.
This week, fears for the robin’s safety began circling among Highland customers.
Shoppers took to social media, claiming staff at the store on Santa Claus Drive had hired contractors to capture and kill the bird.
However, in a statement, an Aldi spokesperson said: “We are working with NatureScot to safely and humanely move the robin back into its natural habitat and would like to reassure customers that no harm will come to the bird.”
A NatureScot spokeswoman said: “We advised the staff at Aldi that robins are very inquisitive and with the right equipment should be easy to catch and release outside, and advised they hire a pest controller to help.”
Anger began circulating on social media after a local claimed contractors had been hired to exterminate the bird.
One person wrote: “Really angry about this; they had better bloody not kill it.”
Another added: “I’ll be having words next time I’m in.”
A horrified male shopper threatened to boycott the shop, adding: “This is horrific. Aldi UK why are you killing wildlife? Is it such an inconvenience? Catch it humanely.
“If this is Aldi’s attitude I’m never shopping there again.”
Taking to the comments, furious shoppers urged the firm to seek a better solution, with some calling the Scottish SPCA for guidance.
One woman said: “No way you kill a robin. Other ways to catch the poor thing.”
Another added: “I just phoned the useless SPCA, and apparently they are perfectly within their rights to do this if they want to.
“The SPCA don’t get involved and don’t have traps for this kind of thing.”
Anyone concerned about the health of a bird can call the Scottish SPCA on 03000 999 999.