Rethink shooting of crows

Letter from Bhaskaran Kunju, Today Online 27 Jul 09;

I WRITE with regard to the culling of crows as carried out by the National Environment Agency (NEA). I live in an HDB estate in the northern part of Singapore where the culling of crows is carried out about once a month. The amount of noise the gunshots generate is enough to startle anyone, especially since no warning or notice is given beforehand.

There are a number of schools in the vicinity. Culling has even been carried out directly in front of a primary school, while school children were on their way home.

While the shooter may be a marksman, I find it discomforting that the NEA has allowed firearms to be used in such locations.

The culling process was started in the 1980s to reduce the crow population. I strongly believe that the numbers have dropped significantly given the culling process and our rapid urbanisation.

It is time the NEA reconsider the status of crows as pests. Apart from the population numbers, which the NEA should make public to justify its actions, the other contributing factors for the culling have been the supposed noise from the birds and their being scavengers. Crows, however, are not the only scavengers. Any bird that becomes accustomed to living in densely-populated areas with few natural preys resorts to scavenging.

It is common to see sparrows and mynahs eating the leftovers in eateries and leaving behind their droppings. Is this not also a nuisance and unhygienic?

In addition, crows do not breed as much as has been mistakenly repeated. They brood once a year and only an average of three eggs are hatched successfully. In comparison, pigeons brood as many as eight times a year.

We should also not be paranoid about the possible spread of bird flu, which is more likely to be spread by migratory birds. Pigeons are known to spread diseases as well.

I am not asking the NEA to switch its culling focus to other intrusive birds but pointing out the flawed rationality in its programme. If the issue is about aggressiveness or incessant noise, then the NEA should only act on such instances of disturbances.

I do not wish to launch into a plea of humanity against the killing of animals but it is indeed inhumane to be shooting birds when alternative methods are available to deal with them. One method is for people to be more responsible in the disposal of trash and in the clearing of leftover food in eateries.

The real cause for the population explosion of birds, if any, are these food sources. Another alternative method is to install plastic owls to scare the crows away.

If the NEA is pressing on with its culling programme and the culling has not reduced the bird population, then obviously there is a fundamental flaw in its methodology.

I am also appalled that an annual crow- hunting competition is held by the Singapore Gun Club and endorsed by the NEA. This seriously goes against the very values of the NEA as an environmental-protection agency.

Sparrows, pigeons can be a nuisance, too
Letter from Thomas Phua, Today Online 28 Jul 09;

I refer to the letter "Rethink shooting of crows" (July 27). Yes, sparrows and pigeons can be a nuisance, too, but I have never seen them attacking people.

Crows do attack people when it is their breeding season. If sparrows and pigeons would attack people, too, I am sure they would be dealt with more harshly.

Crows: Why not consider alternate and humane options first?
Letter from Jeslyn Long Jielin, Today Online 28 Jul 09;

I refer to "Rethink shooting of crows" (July 27) and agree with many points made by Bhaskaran Kunju.

Firstly, the noise from the guns is extremely disturbing. In my opinion, the sound of gunshots, coupled with the shrieking of the wounded birds, is infinitely more unpleasant than any possible disturbance created by the crows each day.

Secondly, I see no reason to single out crows for persecution as opposed to other bird species that are commonly found in the urban environment. The public impression of these racuous black birds may be that of vermin and disease carriers, yet there is no scientific evidence to prove that their presence is significantly detrimental to human health. Certainly, there is no evidence to indicate that they are more likely to spread disease than any other species of bird.

Thirdly, I agree that crows are attracted to an area as long as there are available food sources. Even if the crows are removed, another kind of animal or birds be it pigeons, mynahs or rodents would move in.The solution in this case would be to eliminate food sources through more secure and efficient disposal of trash.

Lastly, I would like to say that indiscriminate killing of animals /birds is not something that befits a civilized society. In this day and age, surely there are more sophisticated methods of dealing with human-animal/birds conflicts? I have heard of companies that make use of a variety of creative solutions, such as netting, visual and auditory deterrents in dealing with unwanted avian guests.

In any case, the relevant authorities should consider alternate options. Lethal control of problem animals/birds should be a last resort, not the first.

Not true that crows attack at random
Letter from Bhaskaran Kunju, Today Online 29 Jul 09;

I refer to "Sparrows, pigeons can be a nuisance, too" (July 28), a reply to my letter "Rethink shooting of crows" (July 27).

The writer mentions that "Crows do attack people when it is their breeding season" unlike sparrows or pigeons. This is a fallacious statement. Firstly crows do not attack people at random when it is breeding season, they only do so if they believe they are under threat while roosting. This is not a unique trait to crows and can be seen in sparrows and pigeons as well. In fact the oriole, which is another common species in Singapore, is just as aggressive if not more ,and is a threat to other birds as well.

I think there is a need for us to break out of this misinformed mentality of crows as devious and dangerous cretins. Apart from that I await a reply from the National Enviroment Agency over the other issues I have raised.

Address root cause
Letter from Melissa Lim May Lin, Today Online 30 Jul 09;

I WRITE with regard to the plan to cull pigeons in various constituencies, including Marine Parade GRC.

Pest control companies have been hired by the Town Council to control the pigeon population in the area.

I have seen dead pigeons lying around, resulting not only in unsightly surroundings, but more importantly, a danger to the children and pets around the area.

As I understand, pigeons have gathered in the area because residents throw food either out from their windows or at street level. The pigeons would not have otherwise congregated and hence become pests.

I find it appalling that instead of addressing the root cause - by conducting ample investigations into finding who these errant residents are and issuing them a warning or punishing them for littering - the Town Council is utilising collective funds to hire pest control companies to cull the pigeons.

I would imagine that a proper investigation into the perpetrators of littering would be more cost-efficient than addressing the symptoms of the problem. The Town Council should take measures to deal with the littering problem, rather than add to it by culling pigeons.

I need not emphasise the inhumanity in the act of culling.

Aside from that, I hope the Town Council understands that the use of funds for such a purpose which does not address the root cause of the problem is worrying.

This is especially so because of what I term the vacuum effect, where a population of animals (pigeons in this case) are removed but because the root cause (i.e. food) remains present in the space, another population will enter - thus resulting in a never-ending cycle of culling, and no ease to the situation at hand.

Funds should be spent on addressing residents' real problems, not symptoms.

Some people litter, some throw them food
Letter from Grace Wong Public Relations Manager Marine Parade Town Council
Today Online 6 Aug 09;

WE WOULD like to thank Ms Melissa Lim for her views on "Address root cause" (July 30).

We share Ms Lim's comments that littering is the root cause of pigeons congregating and becoming pests within the estate.

Over the years, we strive to educate the public against poor social habits, such as littering and feeding the pigeons out of their windows through our publicity drives.

We have taken on public education programmes through displaying of messages on the town council's noticeboards and newsletters and taking part in the Island-wide Cleanest Estate Competitions to promote community ownership in keeping the environment clean.

While the majority do exercise personal responsibility in caring for the environment, there is a minority who do not do so.

Efforts have been put in to spot them in action but it requires much manpower and resources.

Our town council will continue to work with the relevant agencies and will not hesitate to take action against those who are found littering.

The culling of pigeons will only be carried out when the population is high so as to prevent the risk of people contracting birds' transmitted diseases.

We wish to assure residents that the town council is committed in sustaining a clean and green environment and we seek all residents' cooperation not to litter or throw food out of their windows.

Should members of the public wish to provide further feedback or suggestions, they may contact us at 1800-241 6487.

Proper disposal of waste will help
Letter from S Satish Appoo Director, Environmental Health Department National Environment Agency
Today Online 6 Aug 09;

WE refer to the letter "Re-think shooting of crows" (July 27).

The National Environment Agency (NEA) adopts a multi-pronged approach to controlling the crow population in Singapore given the public health concerns they pose.

This includes encouraging proper waste management at food establishments to deny crows their food sources, pruning of trees to reduce potential roosting sites and removal of crow nests where they can pose a nuisance.

The culling of crows is done when we need to keep their numbers in check. Through such efforts, this has allowed us to maintain the crow population in Singapore at a manageable level of 10,000 to 15,000 in recent years as compared to some 120,000 eight years ago. Members of the public can play their part through proper disposal of waste.

We appreciate Mr Bhaskaran Kunju's concerns on this matter and thank him for the feedback.