June the 6th, 2021 - Zagreb crows usually keep themselves to themselves, rummaging around looking for food or getting into sometimes comical altercations with local pigeons. These highly intelligent birds tend to avoid people, but when they're nesting, they're known for their potential for aggression. An official warning has been issued from the City of Zagreb following numerous crow attacks on humans.
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, The City of Zagreb has issued a statement about crow attacks on humans, stating that they have been seen an increasing number of reports about it.
Due to the increased number of reports from people about "attacks" from Zagreb crows on humans, the City Office of Agriculture and Forestry notes that these birds only become aggressive towards people and other animals in exceptional situations such as when their young in the nest are endangered or when they have accidentally dropped out of their nests. The birds then become aggressive so as to try to protect their offspring, they write.
“This is the natural behaviour of animals, so we advise people to avoid the location of the nests for a day or two until the birds fly out of the nest. In a situation when a fallen bird is found, you shouldn't approach the location, but it should be reported to the Dumovec Animal Shelter by calling: 01 / 2008-354 or by e-mailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ", They announced.
"The reason for the settlement and nesting of crows in cities is a safe and constant source of food, so we'd like to appeal at every opportunity to people and tenants in locations where Zagreb crows are active, that the environment around their houses is kept clean and that they don't throw food waste on the floor, and that kitchen waste is disposed of in designated areas. Zagreb crows are treated according to the Game Protection Programme, and in accordance with Article 9 of the Hunting Act (Official Gazette 99/18, 32/19 and 32/20),'' reads the part of the announcement on the website of the City of Zagreb.
One woman even broke her leg when trying to find off an attack by an agitated crow.
Several crow attacks have been reported over recent days, and some of these attacks have resulted in serious injuries. Mirna Grcevic broke her leg as a result of being attacked by the birds.
"It kept pecking me on the head while I was on foot and didn't give up. I was just riding my bike, and I fell onto my knees and broke my leg,'' she described for Dnevnik Nova TV.
In the last week there have been four reports of traumas after crow attacks.
"All four people are female, younger people, one minor, a knee fracture, a spinal cord injury, a wrist injury, an ankle sprain," said Stipe Corluka, a specialist in orthopedics and traumatology.
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