Poisoning Our Wildlife? Part 2: Take Action!

POISONING OUR WILDLIFE? PART 2: TAKE ACTION!

#MakeitbetterMonday

We have good news and bad news.

Good news: the #WhitebelliedSeaEagle who was rescued from outside Supreme Court has recovered and been released back to the wild. Here is a video update for you!

Bad news: Even though we rejoice the recovery of this eagle, this will probably not be the last rescue of poisoned birds. In the past years, ACRES tended to over a 1,000 poisoned pigeons (and many more including birds such as koels, orioles, starlings, sparrows and mynahs). If this eagle did not regurgitate a pigeon, we may have assumed that the eagle ate a poisoned rodent.

Poisoning pigeons is ineffective. Only a combination of intensive education, enforcement (against feeders and litterbugs) and proper food waste management can resolve the pigeon population issue in Singapore. For the 20 over pigeons from Beach road, we have gotten in touch with the town council and grateful for the opportunity to meet with them to propose alternative measures. But, remember this is an island-wide issue.

How to #MakeitbetterMonday: Write to your Town Council appealing to end pigeon poisoning. Find your Town council contact using your postal code here: https://www.mylegacy.gov.sg/find-a-service/find-town-council/ Please feel free to use the template below provided with facts on pigeon poisoning to draft your letter/email:

Pigeon poisoning alone has been proven to be ineffective in managing the population by researchers. When the food supply increases following a cull, pigeons will breed until the flock reaches a threshold to exploit all available food. It is estimated that there is a 15%-30% increment in the flock size over and above the pre-cull population, and Studies have led management agencies to conclude that culling is not a long-term effective solution. Success stories have shown that intensive education, engagement of pigeon feeders and rigorous food waste management has resulted in 50% population drop within 4 years.

Singapore has been culling pigeons for years, and yet to see a positive impact. NParks’ recent study also indicates that “food limitation is vital in controlling invasive pest bird populations and limiting anthropogenic food supply can drastically reduce feral pigeon abundance”.

I urge [Town Council name] to end pigeon poisoning operations, but implement intensive food waste management measures, education of feeders alongside enforcement efforts.

#PigeonPoisoning

#WildlifeRescue

#Singapore

#EndAnimalCruelty


Source: https://www.facebook.com/ACRESasia/videos/535631637744086/

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