Follow-up Actions After NParks-funded Study on Feral Pigeons
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the follow-up actions taken by NParks after a study on feral pigeon foraging strategies, as raised by MP Louis Ng Kok Kwang. Minister of State for National Development Tan Kiat How stated that the study confirmed human-provided food drives bird population growth, necessitating a multi-pronged strategy involving food source reduction, habitat modification, and population control. NParks collaborates with the Singapore Food Agency, National Environment Agency, and Town Councils to manage food waste and enforce against littering and illegal bird-feeding. Community outreach includes the islandwide “Say No to Feeding Wildlife” campaign launched in 2021 to raise awareness about the negative impacts of feeding wildlife. Minister of State Tan Kiat How emphasized the importance of public social responsibility in maintaining cleanliness to help manage wild bird populations effectively.
Transcript
8 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether NParks will be taking any follow-up actions following an NParks-funded study titled “Restricted human activities shift the foraging strategies of feral pigeons (Columba livia) and three other commensal bird species”; and (b) if so, what are these actions.
The Minister of State for National Development (Mr Tan Kiat How) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, the National Parks Board's (NParks’) study has affirmed that food made available by humans is a key driver of wild bird population growth. These findings have highlighted the importance of food source reduction, which are part of NParks’ population management measures for wild birds. This is multi-pronged, including habitat modification and population control.
To reduce the availability of food sources, NParks has been working closely with the Singapore Food Agency, National Environment Agency and Town Councils to encourage proper food waste management at food establishments and to enforce against littering and illegal bird-feeding. NParks also partners agencies and Town Councils to educate the community on proper refuse management. As part of its outreach and education efforts, NParks launched the islandwide “Say No to Feeding Wildlife” campaign in January 2021 to raise awareness on the negative impact of feeding wildlife, including birds.
We would like to remind the public to be socially responsible by not feeding wild birds, and by keeping public areas clean and free of food waste, to help manage wildlife population.
11.00 am
Mr Speaker: Order. End of Question Time. The Clerk will now proceed to read the order of the day.