Cormorants are damaging Russia’s outrageously expensive new stadium

Cormorants are damaging St. Petersburg Arena’s retractable roof, which is the second most expensive stadium in the world - after Wembley Stadium in London. That’s according to the city’s vice-governor Igor Albin.

In a recent interview, he blamed the aquatic birds for leakages: Spectators have been getting wet! “[Cormorants] damage the reflective cover [of the stadium’s roof] with their powerful beaks,” Albin said.

It turns out the cover - which is meant to withstand pressures of up to 400 kg per square meter - is failing to stand up to the cormorant’s beak.

Russia’s online community has been mocking the authorities, who have spent more than $800 million building the stadium, which was initially meant to cost $120 million. Popular blogger Ilya Varlamov published a post sarcastically blaming the cormorants for all of St. Petersburg’s recent misfortunes.

“We need to develop a high-grade project to protect the roof from the birds, similar to those that are used in airports,” Albin explained.

Any ideas how much more it’s going to cost?

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