Reviewing Cost Effectiveness of Non-lethal Crow Management Strategies and Expansion of Crow Culling Operations
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the evaluation of non-lethal crow management strategies against lethal culling and the expansion of crow-shooting operations in residential estates. Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked about tracking cost-effectiveness metrics, while Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song and Dr Charlene Chen inquired about expanding shooting operations to Hougang, Bedok Reservoir, Serangoon, and Tampines. Minister Chee Hong Tat stated that NParks adopts a multi-pronged, science-based approach combining non-lethal measures, such as food-source reduction and trapping, with targeted shooting. Because these complementary measures are implemented concurrently, NParks assesses collective effectiveness via overall population trends and public feedback rather than evaluating measures in isolation. He noted that shooting operations have progressively expanded to suitable areas, including Hougang, Tampines, and Bedok North, with public safety remaining the priority.
Transcript
73 Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether NParks has tracked the long-term cost-effectiveness and comparative success metrics of non-lethal house crow management, such as food-source reduction, habitat modification and trapping, against lethal culling operations; and (b) how these findings inform the post-resumption balance between non-lethal population control and targeted culling in its pest bird management strategy.
74 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether NParks will expand targeted crow shooting operations to Hougang, Bedok Reservoir and Serangoon; (b) if so, when; (c) if not, what specific factors prevent expansion of such operations; and (d) whether NParks has received sufficient feedback regarding bird aggression in these areas to warrant inclusion.
75 Dr Charlene Chen asked the Minister for National Development in relation to persistent crow-related disamenities around Block 242 Tampines Street 21 including the nearby skate park and community plaza (a) whether NParks has assessed the feasibility of safely conducting crow-shooting operations in the area; and (b) where feasible, whether such operations can be carried out in the near term.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: The National Parks Board (NParks) employs a multi-pronged, science-based approach to pest bird management. Depending on site-specific conditions, measures may include trapping, nest removal, habitat modification, food source reduction, active enforcement against illegal feeding and crow shooting operations.
As these measures are complementary and are often implemented concurrently, NParks tracks key metrics, such as crow population trends and public feedback, to evaluate their collective effectiveness, rather than assessing individual measures in isolation.
Since crow shooting resumed, NParks has progressively expanded operations to suitable areas, including Hougang, Tampines and Bedok North. In selecting locations, NParks takes into consideration factors, such as human traffic and proximity to buildings, with public safety as a priority. NParks will continue to calibrate the use of the various measures based on local conditions, population trends and operational practicality.