Stop feeding them or they will reign over us, DBKU warns
KUCHING: The city’s growing pigeon population is ruffling feathers. Not the birds’ though, but city folk’s, especially the city council’s.
On Dec 12, Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) erected five notice boards in three different locations in the city where the pigeons rule the roost.
The notice boards read: Do not feed the pigeons.
In other words, the pigeons are burgeoning because people are feeding them.
Stop feeding them, they will go elsewhere to look for food; but feed them, more will come, not only to eat but litter rooftops, walls and streets and roads with their droppings.
DBKU sees the birds as a health hazard. Think stench, odour and bird flu.
“It (presence of the birds) has become very serious. They are coming by the numbers and perching almost everywhere because people are feeding them,” said Bong, a shop owner at Jalan Khoo Hun Yeang.
Bong is skeptical about the notices, saying: “Apparently, people love to see the birds which even take food from their palms. No, the notices will not be effective.
“I would suggest the authorities catch the birds. Catch every single one of them and release them in some far away forest where they can live a natural life.”
What Bong said about the pigeon droppings being unhealthy and can cause sickness is the issue that the authorities are concerned about.
DBKU commissioner Datuk Wee Hong Seng said DBKU would discourage the public from feeding the pigeons.
He said by his estimates, in Jalan Gambier alone there are easily 300 pigeons.
“And the situation is getting serious by the day because people have been driving in just to feed the pigeons,” he said.
Wee said India Street used to be invaded by pigeons about 10 years ago.
“But when we stopped feeding them they migrated elsewhere. That’s why we erected those notices, hoping that the public will cooperate with us. If there is no ready food, the pigeons will go away.”
According to medical expert Dr Chua Hock Hin, pigeon droppings are known to contain yeasts and mould fungi which can be hazardous to human health if inhaled, mainly in those immunocompromised (reduced immunity) patient.
“And yes, the droppings are dangerous to human health. Poor hand hygiene can result in contaminated food, if you ingest it, you will get sick,” he said, adding the consequent infections could include cryptococcal lung infection, cryptococcal meningitis (brain infection), and disseminated cryptococcal infection, especially in immune deficiency syndrome patients.
But shopkeeper Ah Ling sees the issue differently, saying: “There is nothing wrong with feeding the pigeons because they too are created by God.
“We believe that feeding the pigeons will bring luck, that’s why many people come to feed them.
“And there are people who love animals, birds included. There is no stopping these people from feeding the pigeons.
“On top of that, many tourists love the pigeons. These birds are a draw in themselves.
“My suggestion to the authorities is to provide the birds a special place and hire bird keepers to look after them and at the same time clean the streets on a regular basis.
“I think proactive measures will not only help make Kuching city very attractive to tourists but also ensure that the city is clean and pleasing to the eyes.”
