Written Answer by Ministry of National Development on current measures taken to counter an over-population of pigeons and their harmful pollutive effects

Nov 2, 2021

Ms Yeo Wan Ling: To ask the Minister for National Development what are the current measures taken to counter an over-population of pigeons and their harmful pollutive effects such as decomposing carcasses of birds, discarded feathers and pigeon waste.  

Answer:

NParks adopts a holistic and science-based approach to managing the pigeon population in Singapore, comprising measures such as food source reduction, habitat modification, and population control.

Food made available by humans is a key driver of pest bird population growth. To reduce the availability of food sources, NParks works closely with SFA, NEA, and Town Councils to encourage proper food waste management at food establishments, and to enforce against littering and illegal bird-feeding. As part of its education and outreach efforts, NParks also partners Town Councils, MSO, PA, and the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) to engage feeders. This enables NParks to find out feeders’ motivations and discourage them from continuing to feed birds.

NParks also works closely with stakeholders to ensure that its population control methods for pigeons are conducted in a sustainable and humane manner. For example, NParks works with Town Councils and the industry to equip workers with the necessary skills and methods to handle and remove pigeons properly during their operations, and to maintain general cleanliness afterwards.

NParks will continue to work with agencies and regularly review its measures to manage the pigeon population, to safeguard public safety and health. All of us can also play our part by not feeding these pest birds, and keeping our environment clean.