Audubon Society activists are objecting to plans for the new Minnesota Vikings stadium, saying the glass and lighting used in the project will be dangerous for birds.
The concern is that birds won't realize they're approaching glass and crash right into the stadium windows to their deaths.
"Hundreds of millions of dollars of public money is going to build this stadium, and we know the people of Minnesota do not want their money killing birds," Matthew Anderson, executive director of Audubon Minnesota said in a statement quoted by USA TODAY's For the Win.
"The Vikings recently approved spending millions and millions of additional dollars to make sure the stadium is 'iconic'--surely they also want to make sure it's not a death trap," Anderson said. "We're asking them to change their minds and do the right thing."
The new stadium, which will cost around $1 billion, should open in 2016 and is scheduled to house the 2018 Super Bowl, according to Yahoo Sports.
According to the Audubon activists, the group last met with stadium developers in April. A subsequent planned meeting was abruptly cancelled, while a new design was announced apparently without the Audubon Society's approval.
The Vikings have responded with a statement given to For the Win, saying that representatives of the two groups have met "multiple times" and are "working collaboratively" to figure out how to keep birds safe.
"The Vikings and the MSFA have agreed to implement lighting operational procedures, when possible, to mitigate bird collisions during peak migratory periods," said the statement. "We are also discussing the Audubon's various recommendations regarding the lighting design for the stadium.
"Stadium construction costs continue to rise, and unfortunately the budget does not include the additional cost required by the Audubon Society's recommended glass. We will continue to partner with the MSFA to enhance bird safety through the lighting design and operational guidelines."
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