A two-year-old Belgian racing pigeon, named New Kim, set a world record of 1.6 million euros at an auction that ended today (Sunday, November 15th).

The offer for New Kim started at 200 euros on November 2, but increased to 1.31 million euros in less than 90 minutes, following an offer from a group from South Africa. But the pigeon was acquired by a Chinese collector.

Pigeon breeder Gaston Van de Wouwer retired at the age of 76 and his son has a very busy professional life to continue the famous pigeon garden. The 445 birds were auctioned off and their total sale closed at 5m euros. "Everyone is interested in our pigeons," Pascal Bodengien, head of the Belgian pigeon federation, told the Associated Press. Just a decade ago, the record price for a pigeon was as much as one-tenth the price of New Kim.

Chinese enthusiasm for long-distance pigeon racing has boosted prices significantly, especially for birds in Belgium, which is considered the traditional heart of the sport. In China, pigeon races are organized, where all the pigeons are trained and then released hundreds of miles away to make their way back through their sense of orientation. Prizes from the races go up to tens of millions of euros.

But for raising pigeons, there is no second place like Belgium, because of the tradition inherited through the generations, so many rich Chinese people have found themselves in such auctions with dizzying values.

Source: Associated Press