Amsterdam is erecting numerous miniature stairways along its waterways to ensure the protection of the local wildlife.

Amsterdam is erecting numerous miniature stairways along its waterways to ensure the protection of the local wildlife.

Amsterdam to Install Animal Escape Routes in Canals

Amsterdam is set to install multiple canal escape routes for animals, aiming to improve the safety of both wildlife and domestic animals in the city. The initiative comes after concerns about animals drowning in the city's waterways, particularly cats.

The city has earmarked €100,000 for this project and will collaborate with the animal welfare organization Dierenambulance to identify the locations along the canals where animals most frequently fall in and struggle to escape.

This move follows the example set by Amersfoort, another Dutch city that has already installed 300 wooden staircases along its waterways to help wildlife safely exit the water. The exact number of escape routes in Amsterdam has not yet been finalized.

According to reports, around 14 people die each year in Amsterdam's canals, often foreign tourists who fall in while drunk or under the influence of drugs. However, the issue of animal safety has also been a concern, with 19 cats reportedly drowning in the canals so far this year.

The proposal to install escape routes was made by the local pro-animal party PvdD, who discovered an unused €100,000 in the budget for "wildlife exit points." The city's animal welfare chief Zita Pels was previously in favor of a project like this but abandoned the idea due to a lack of funds.

In some parts of Amsterdam, renovated canals have been equipped with special ledges for people to hold onto. The city hopes that these new escape routes will provide a similar lifeline for animals.

This project is a significant step towards ensuring the safety of Amsterdam's animal population, both wild and domestic. It is part of a broader effort to improve animal welfare in the city.

References:

[1] Amsterdam to install canal escape routes for animals. (2022, May 10). Retrieved from https://www.amsterdam.nl/nieuws/amsterdam-to-install-canal-escape-routes-for-animals/

[4] Cats drown in Amsterdam's canals. (2022, May 10). Retrieved from https://www.dierenambulance.nl/nieuws/cats-drown-in-amsterdams-canals/

1. The project in Amsterdam, aiming to improve safety for both wildlife and domestic animals, extends beyond just installing escape routes in canals; it is part of a broader effort to enhance the city's lifestyle, including improvements in fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and relationships with pets.
2. For those visiting Amsterdam, the city now offers more than just captivating travel experiences; with the installation of animal escape routes, it demonstrates a commitment to animal welfare and the well-being of pets, enriching the overall experience for tourists who love fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, and shopping.
3. The city's initiative to install animal escape routes in canals, along with the renovated canals equipped with special ledges for people, reflects Amsterdam's focus on its urban landscape, extending from home-and-garden renovations to public safety measures like these.
4. As Amsterdam moves forward with plans to install escape routes for animals, the city's commitment to the welfare of its animal population, both wild and domestic, is a testament to the progress made in the realm of relationships, encompassing not just human interactions but also the bond between humans and their pets, further strengthening the city's appeal for animal lovers worldwide.

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