TAIWAN — More than a million pigeons pass through the pearly gates every year while being forced to compete in Taiwan's controversial pigeon sea races. <br /><br />The competition is a series of grueling events where young birds are shipped out on cargo ships and released in order to see which ones make it back to Taiwan the fastest.<br /><br />Some of the birds fall into the water right away, others collide into each other or the ships. Most succumb to fatigue as they battle fierce typhoon-strength winds. <br /><br />Around 500,000 pigeon racers get together annually to compete for millions in prize money. <br /><br />"Prizes" such as refrigerators are listed on gambling sheets as a cover for huge amounts of betting. <br /><br />Less than one percent of the pigeons actually make it back to land. <br /><br />According to PETA, competitors cheat by importing breeds, drugging birds and kidnapping other racers' pigeons.
