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Birds dying in koi pond


Question
Would surrounding the pond with flat rock keep them from slipping in when standing on the side?  Or how about putting a larger bird statue nearby to scare them off?  Possibly more water plants to make the water less attractive?  Any suggestions would be beneficial.  My wife is an animal rights activist and wants to get rid of the pond because of the deaths.  Thanks again for any input you could provide.
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Followup To

Question -
I bought a home in December with a koi pond in the backyard.  Over the last 3 months I have found 5 dead birds floating in the pond.  I have found blackbirds, robins, and a sparrow.  The pond is nowhere near a window, so I know they aren't dropping into the pond after flying into a window.  Is there anyway to keep them away without putting a net over the pond?

Answer -
Hi Jake,
Thanx for your question.  There is no sure way of keeping birds away from the pond.  They love the water and other animals such as cats and raccoons are attracted as a result.  It is unusual to have that many birds die in your pond in the past three months.  The only other answer is to keep a dog around.  I'm sorry, I know that's not much help.
Tom

Answer
Hi Jake,
I consider myself very Earth-friendly and get a lot of grief however, your pond is not resonsible for the birds' death.  Really, my guess is, other animals, probably cats, are attacking the birds, wounding them, but the bird falls in the water and the cats scatter because they don't like water.  Flat rocks won't work.  I have flat rocks around my pond.  You and your pond are not responsible for the birds' deaths.  

Jake, I'm going to go out on limb here and risk pissing you and your wife off and I mean no disrespect at all...but...I love nature.  I love animals and I respect the Earth as much as I can almost to a fault sometimes but...I refuse to punish myself or my friends or family because something did not quite fit right with Mother Nature.

Again, your pond is not responsible for the birds' death.  And another thing...I wish animal rights people were as concerned with the plight of our human brethern as they are with animals.  I agree that a society that does not mistreat animals is an advanced society but for Pete's sake, look how we treat other human beings.  Please!
I know this probably doesn't help but...that's my response and again, we have to care about people first and that will help us to care about animals, plants and the land.
Take care dude.
Tom

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