Written answer by Ministry of National Development on percentage of unresolved pigeon feeding complaints

Jan 10, 2024

Question No: 5518

Question by: Mr Yip Hon Weng

To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what percentage of complaints about pigeon feeding in the past three years are unresolved; (b) what are the key reasons for these unresolved complaints; (c) how is surveillance technology being used to identify and address pigeon feeding incidents; and (d) how can the Ministry permit culling in a humane manner with minimal environmental and community impact as a last resort.

Answer:

NParks follows up on feedback received on pigeon feeding by investigating, engaging, or taking enforcement action against the feeder, and closes the loop with the feedback provider on actions taken.

2        Nonetheless, some cases are intractable, involving repeat offenders. For such cases, NParks works with the Town Councils (TCs), Municipal Services Office (MSO), People’s Association (PA), and Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) to try to understand the offenders’ motivations to find solutions to discourage them from continuing to feed pigeons. For example, NParks may offer some feeders nature-based activities as alternatives to pigeon feeding, such as community gardening and bird-watching. For feeders with mental health needs, AIC will link them up with agencies to provide counselling or other forms of support.

3        NParks also works with agencies and TCs to deploy closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and conducts human surveillance at identified feeding hotspots, as part of its enforcement efforts against pigeon feeding. However, this is not always effective, as there may be blind spots or feeders may wear masks or caps that hinder identification. Feedback providers are therefore strongly encouraged to provide detailed information and evidence of the feeding activity, to help NParks identify feeders.

4        To manage the pigeon population, NParks undertakes the culling of pigeons in a sustainable and humane manner, in line with international standards, and encourages TCs to do the same. NParks will also continue to work with agencies and TCs on upstream measures to control the pigeon population, such as food source reduction, roosting and nesting sites exclusion, and engaging the community on the negative impacts of illegal bird-feeding.

5        All of us can play our part to keep the pigeon population under control and safeguard public health and safety, by not feeding pigeons and keeping our environment clean.