"Pigeon Killing Trap" at the Star Ferry Terminal Bus Terminal

The gathering of wild pigeons at the Star Ferry Terminal has always been a topic of public concern. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has stepped up efforts to wash the ground and put up banners prohibiting pigeon feeding in the early years. People found that there were wild pigeons trapped in the net and starved for several days. Firefighters were called to relieve the difficulties. In the end, some wild pigeons were struggling and strangling to death because of their bodies being entangled in the net. There are also concerned organizations criticizing the installation of green nets as "killing bird traps" and demanding that they imitate foreign countries and switch to birdhouses to reduce the number of wild pigeons.

The bus stop is fully covered with green nets to prevent wild pigeons from gathering

Feral pigeons were often fed at the Star Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui in the past. As a result, feral pigeons appeared on the site. According to estimates by the Birds Concern Organization, there are as many as 500 wild pigeons living in Kowloon Park alone, with bird droppings at the same time. This brings health risks. In recent years, the pillars of the bus terminal have been installed with bird thorns to prevent wild birds or wild pigeons from approaching, but the effect is not good. Recently, government departments have installed green anti-pigeon nets on the bus stops. The original intention is to prevent wild pigeons. Gathering on the upper cover brings health hazards. Only during the Christmas period, the public discovered that wild pigeons had run into the net and were trapped and starved for many days. Until the 30th of last month, they discovered that another wild pigeon was entangled in the rope net with their wings and struggled continuously. As a result, As the entanglement became tighter, the public immediately called the Fire and Love Association when they saw the situation.

According to reports, the public said that the firefighter first arrived at the scene to relieve the wild pigeon entangled in the rope, but found that it did not respond. Later, it was handed over to the Association for processing. It is believed that it has been strangled to death.

Long-term accumulation of bird droppings at the bottom of the net may spread the poison

A hawker at the Star Ferry Terminal stated that the green net above the bus terminal was installed around the early hours of Christmas Eve last month. It was only discovered when the stall opened the next morning. A few days later he witnessed a net trapped by wild pigeons. Inside, after the firefighter arrived at the scene, the nets were widened to allow the wild pigeons to enter and exit freely. At present, many wild pigeons roost on the bus cover as usual. There is a risk of spreading the avian flu virus, and it is considered undesirable.

Hong Kong Rescue Dove and Birds spokesperson Gian said that after inspecting the site, it was found that there are not many entrances and exits for the pigeon-preventing nets installed on the bus terminal. The feet were entangled with nylon rope nets, and the more they struggled, the tighter they were, until they were cut off and died, like a "death trap".

A hawker reported that the nets installed on the upper cover would accumulate more bird droppings for a long time and would not be cleaned up, increasing the risk of spreading the avian virus.

(Photo by Mo Jiawen)

Concern groups advocating switch to pigeon lofts

She also said that there are many ways to reduce the breeding of wild pigeons. For example, foreign countries will install pigeon lofts at the bottom of flyovers or places where wild pigeons live. The area is only the size of two shoe boxes. Then they will be there regularly to collect pigeon eggs and replace them with fake eggs. However, the AFCD’s recent implementation of the Feral Pigeon Contraceptive Test Program can expand other areas to effectively curb reproduction. It emphasizes that the right to live of feral pigeons should be on par with other stray animals, and sterilization should be used instead of culling or other inhumane methods.

A KMB spokesperson and the Fishery Conservation Department responded that they did not install the anti-pigeon nets. Hong Kong 01 is now inquiring with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Highways Department, which is responsible for the maintenance of the bus stops.

Tai Wai River Garden is about to be opened as a recreational area. Councillors worry about rising waters and accidentally approve waste of public funds. Tuen Mun Zhongjian Public Housing Gazetted the leveling site. Residents of Jingshang Village worry about extinction. Head turtle transferred to the UK

01Community