WEIRD NEWS OF THE WEEK: 10,000 pigeons undergo 'anal security check' before National Day of China ceremony

The pigeons’ feathers and anus were checked for dangerous materials before they were released in a ceremony on Wednesday for China’s National Day.

17:37 01 October 2014

Reflecting the government’s jitters over possible attacks, 10,000 pigeons which were released in a ceremony for China’s National Day underwent particularly unusual scrutiny to pass security checks. Their feathers and anuses were checked for dangerous materials, a strange act which was even confirmed by state-run media. 

 

The pigeons were released at sunrise in Beijing’s symbolic heart of Tiananmen Square for the October 1 holiday to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. 

 

Independent columnist Zhang Ping has compared the plight of the pigeons to the liberty and dignity of Chinese citizens. Under his pen name Changpin, he wrote: "The liberty and dignity of citizens are increasingly vulnerable, and can be expropriated at any time, like with the pigeons. They have to go through the pains and insults of the rude anal check and yet they must appear peaceful and happy on the screen of the state broadcaster."

 

The security measures were taken following strings of attacks that included a bus explosion and random slashing attacks attributed to disgruntled individuals.