This is a full version of NEA-NParks’s reply issued to the media agency; published in Lianhe Zaobao, 3 Mar 2023.
Managing pest birds require collective effort
The National Parks Board (NParks) and National Environment Agency (NEA) refer to the letter titled “Residents urged to stop feeding birds” published in Lianhe Zaobao on 25 Feb 2023, and thank the forum letter writer for their feedback.
Rock Pigeons are not native to Singapore but are an invasive species that compete with our native species. Their droppings dirty the environment and cause disamenities like the soiling of clothes.
NParks takes a community- and science-based approach towards the management of invasive bird species. This involves the removal of human food sources, habitat modification, population management and studies to understand the ecology of the pest birds such as their roosting and foraging patterns.
The public can help to reduce the pigeon population growth by not feeding these birds and ensuring that food scraps are properly disposed.
Feeding pigeons is illegal and offenders can be fined up to S$10,000 under the Wildlife Act. NParks monitors feedback on illegal pigeon feeding and undertakes active enforcement. This includes conducting human surveillance as well as deploying CCTV cameras at identified feeding hotspots. Providing detailed and key information, such as the date, time, location, and photos of the feeding activity will be useful in helping us identify and engage the feeder. Since February 2021, NParks has issued letters of advisory, letters of warning, and composition fines to over 270 offenders.
For repeat offenders, or those with psychiatric issues, NParks partners Town Councils, the Municipal Services Office (MSO), People’s Association (PA), and the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) to find out their motivations and to dissuade them from feeding wildlife. NParks also offers these feeders nature-based activities, such as community gardening and bird-watching, as alternatives to feeding. Such engagement efforts are part of NParks’ holistic, multi-pronged approach to tackle illegal wildlife feeding.
Residents should also not leave food for birds on window sills, or commit high-rise littering by throwing food out of windows. Under the Environmental Public Health Act 1987, NEA may take enforcement action for high-rise bird-feeding which results in food waste being littered in public areas. First-time litterbugs may be fined up to $2,000.
NParks and NEA also work with other agencies such as the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and Town Councils to manage the pigeon population. This includes reducing food sources for pigeons, and managing waste at food establishments. We have also reached out to the community and schools through a public campaign, to remind the public to refrain from feeding pigeons and maintain the cleanliness of the environment.
Agencies adopt a holistic suite of measures to deter illegal bird-feeding, including enforcement, public education and outreach. Upholding high standards of public cleanliness and keeping the pest bird population under control are a collective effort. We seek everyone’s cooperation to avoid feeding birds and to keep Singapore clean.
Dr Adrian Loo
Group Director, Wildlife Management
National Parks Board
吕福明博士
国家公园局
野生动物管理
高级署长
Mr Tony Teo
Group Director
Environmental Public Health Operations
National Environment Agency
张明顺
司长, 环境卫生行动司
国家环境局