Explore more humane ways to control bird population

Straits Times 14 Mar 10;

I refer to the article, 'Shocked by pigeon culling? Then stop feeding them?' (Feb 28).

The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) is concerned that poisoning is still being used as a way of culling pigeons, as poisoning tends to induce a slow and painful death for the birds.

Culling the pigeons addresses only the symptom of the problem. It is essential to educate the public to stop making food accessible to pigeons.

Acres would also like to highlight the following points:

# Culling by poisoning is potentially dangerous for pets, wild animals and even children who may consume the poisoned bait.

# Alternative and humane me-thods of bird population control are available. Progressive vector control agencies, such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency, have approved humane methods such as the contraceptive bait (Ovocontrol) for pigeon control since 2007.

# Town councils can consider providing artificial nesting sites. Dovecotes or nesting boxes can be installed at a low, one-off cost at these sites. Once pigeons have been encouraged to roost in these sites, their eggs can be collected regularly and destroyed. This is a simple, fast and very effective way to reduce pigeon numbers.

# Scientific research has shown that culling is completely ineffective, as bird numbers can increase above pre-cull levels within weeks of the cull being carried out.

Acres urges town councils to cease the current pigeon culling operations using poisoning, as these are inhumane, ineffective and costly (involving third parties), and instead explore more humane and effective methods.

Amy Corrigan (Ms)
Director of Education
Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres)

Dad hospitalised because of birds
Straits Times 14 Mar 10;

Mr Lim Lee Nguan asked last Sunday ('Life's precious, stop pigeon culling') if anyone has been really ill as a result of exposure to pigeons.

Birds, including pigeons, can threaten the health of people. My father went through an ordeal on the eve of his 83rd birthday in October 2007.

He was struck by a form of fungal meningitis - an infection of the brain membrane that causes memory loss and hallucinations. The doctor asked if my father had come into contact with birds. We checked and discovered that the neighbour living above our unit was unknowingly breeding mynahs in a rusty, broken air-conditioner unit.

The birds perched on the window ledge and their droppings dried up and blew into my father's bedroom.

As a result, my father suffered a painful experience - more than a month's stay in hospital, countless blood tests and having spinal fluid taken from him.

He took medication for almost two years before he was given the 'all clear' in September last year. There were also huge medical costs incurred.

So I, for one, fully support Jalan Besar Town Council in its culling operation to keep the pigeon population in check and keep potential diseases at bay.

Wee Eng Leong