April 17, 2026, 3:26 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
In the April 13, 2026, episode of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” several comments by Günther Jauch about pigeons sparked criticism—especially from animal rights activists. They accuse the host of reinforcing pigeon hatred and prejudices. An official statement from RTL or the production company Endemol Shine Germany is still pending.
Derogatory Comments About Pigeons on TV
The debate began with a scene where a contestant talked about her involvement in city pigeon aid. Host Günther Jauch responded with mocking remarks, saying, among other things, “When I see people feeding pigeons, I become…” and the well-known phrase: “…but aren’t they the rats of the sky.”
Later, the show revisited the topic. During a quiz question, the answer option “pigeon killer” appeared, to which Jauch commented: “Yes, it can only be C, it must be C, I’ll buy up all the stocks.” A comment from the audience—”Pigeon killer… yes, it would be nice if, but…”—was met with approval from the host.
“What Was That?” – Criticism from Social Media
The scenes triggered strong reactions on social networks. Influencer Malte Zierden expressed his dismay: “What was that?” In a video, he reminded viewers that pigeons once played an important role for humans—such as carrier pigeons or in war. “We made them dependent on us,” Zierden said.
He also emphasized that many people hold similar prejudices: “Mr. Jauch, I don’t even think you mean it maliciously. You’re just saying out loud what many think. And that’s the problem.” At the same time, he linked his criticism to an action: He offered to participate in “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” himself and donate any potential winnings entirely to pigeon protection organizations.
Such Statements Could Reinforce Pigeon Hatred
The Volare Wild Bird Aid also spoke out clearly. The organization criticizes that such statements could reinforce prejudices and “normalize hatred against pigeons.” This is particularly problematic given the show’s wide reach. City pigeons are not “rats of the sky” but domesticated pets bred by humans that now rely on support.
In their post about the segment, Volare Wild Bird Aid called for respectful and factual contact with RTL and the production company Endemol Shine.
Debate Over City Pigeons – Between Animal Protection and Conflicts
The discussion is part of a broader debate on how to handle city pigeons. Cities frequently face the question of how to manage large populations.
Currently, Zurich is making headlines. There, pigeons were captured and killed at Stadelhofen station, as reported by the news portal “Watson.” The measure sparked outrage, and animal rights activists announced protests. The city cites issues such as large amounts of pigeon droppings and employs targeted killings alongside feeding bans. Critics consider this ineffective and instead call for sustainable solutions like pigeon lofts with egg control.
Another example is Limburg. In the Hessian city, a planned culling of around 200 city pigeons was halted. The responsible authority rejected the application—citing, among other reasons, that pigeons are legally considered protected wild animals and significant damage was not sufficiently proven.
Limburg decides to have pigeons killed – animal rights activists appalled
“Pigeons Are Losing Their Instincts”–Deutsche Bahn Poster Sparks Intense Criticism
Why the Image of Pigeons Is So Problematic
Experts largely agree that city pigeons originally descended from domesticated pigeons and are closely linked to humans. Their current situation is largely human-made. At the same time, they suffer from a poor image, which exacerbates their situation.
This is precisely where the current criticism comes in. Those who publicly refer to them as “rats of the sky” contribute to solidifying this image.
Response from RTL Still Pending
Whether and how RTL or Günther Jauch will respond to the criticism is currently unknown. However, the relevant clips are spreading rapidly on social networks. Malte Zierden’s video garnered tens of thousands of likes in a short time.
PETBOOK has asked RTL and Endemol Shine Germany for a statement. Once a response is received, this article will be updated accordingly.