Written answer by Ministry of National Development on effectiveness of surveillances and enforcement against bird-feeding

May 7, 2024

Question No: 5797

Question by: Mr Liang Eng Hwa

To ask the Minister for National Development (a) whether NParks and the relevant agencies are adequately equipped to carry out surveillances of bird-feeding at the heartland estates; and (b) whether both the surveillances and current enforcement actions pose effective deterrence to the perennial bird-feeding situation.

Answer:

NParks partners with agencies such as the People’s Association (PA), as well as Town Councils (TCs), to conduct on-site surveillance and deploy closed-circuit television cameras at identified feeding hotspots, as part of its enforcement efforts against bird-feeding. However, identification of feeders may be hindered because they wear masks or caps, or there are blind spots. Feedback providers are therefore strongly encouraged to provide detailed information and evidence of the feeding activity, to help NParks identify feeders.

Under the Wildlife Act, offenders can be fined up to $5,000 for their first offence of feeding any wild animal, including birds, and up to $10,000 for subsequent offences. In 2023, NParks issued letters of advisory, letters of warning, and composition fines to 203 offenders. 

Besides surveillance and enforcement efforts, public education and outreach are key in deterring illegal bird-feeding. For repeat offenders, or those with mental health needs, NParks works with TCs, the Municipal Services Office (MSO), and PA to understand their motivations, address misconceptions, and discourage them from feeding birds. NParks also collaborates with Active Ageing Centres on the “Our Avian Neighbours” initiative to organise engagement sessions to raise awareness amongst the elderly on the negative impacts of bird feeding.

NParks will continue to work closely with agencies on our multi-pronged approach to effectively manage bird-feeding in estates. We urge the public to be socially responsible by not feeding birds.