Pigeon Culling Among Measures To Be Stepped Up In Pilot Initiative At 3 Town Councils

𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗖 𝗢𝗙 𝗣𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗢𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 Managing pigeon population is understandably a complex and multifaceted issue, that requires (i) community engagement and cooperation, (ii) intensive food source management and (iii) infrastructure modifications where required. While we are encouraged by the collaborative efforts of SFA, NEA, and NParks to manage food waste effectively, we believe that the decision to increase culling at Ang Mo Kio, Bishan-Toa Payoh and Tanjong Pagar estates is a 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁-𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺, 𝗶𝗻𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴:

(𝗶) 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁-𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Pigeons have been culled in Singapore for many years, yet proven to be ineffective with no numbers (of culled/removed pigeons) reported. Studies in other cities have proven that culling creates void, quickly filling in migrating pigeons and increased survival/breeding of remaining pigeons.

(𝗶𝗶) 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀: Food reduction, habitat modification and oral contraception have worked in the long-term. Though viewed as resource-intensive, these have been proven effective in halving the pigeon population in 3-year long studies, and works well in small and well managed cities.

(𝗶𝗶𝗶) 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲: SPCA reported 9 cats as suspected victims of poisoning just in June 2024. This year alone, concerned members of the public have reported over 187 poisoned birds (including 158 rock pigeons, and sparrows, mynahs, black-naped oriole and feral chickens) to ACRES for their rescue. In just two years, ACRES has rescued 1,000 birds, including protected bird species.

In addition, on 30th November 2021, it was reported on media on “NParks working with town councils to stop use of poison in wildlife control measures”. With the proposed guidelines on pigeon culling, it directly contradicts the statement above encouraging the town councils to use toxins to capture pigeons for culling.

ACRES has shared the above concerns today through an appeal to the relevant agencies and the estate MPs, and we hope to engage further to propose an alternative longer term humane pilot.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ang-mo-kio-bishan-toa-payoh-tanjong-pagar-town-councils-pigeon-culling-nparks-4434341

#Pigeon #Singapore #ACRESSingapore #WildlifeManagement #Humane



Government agencies also aim to reduce human food sources for pigeons, by improving refuse and food waste management at bin centres and F&B establishments.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ang-mo-kio-bishan-..

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ACRES

ACRES (Animal Concerns Research & Education Society) is a pioneering Singapore-based charity and Institution of Public Character, founded by Singaporeans in 2001 with the aim of promoting animal welfare.

ACRES has six focus areas: Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, Wildlife Crime Investigation, Zoo Animal Welfare, Humane Education, Community Outreach and Promoting Cruelty-Free Living.

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