1st August 2024 – (Hong Kong) As of 1st August, 2024, Hong Kong has enforced a stringent ban on feeding pigeons, escalating efforts to tackle the environmental and health issues associated with the birds. The amendment to the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance, passed last Wednesday, now includes provisions that could see offenders fined up to HK$100,000 and face a year in prison.
The legislation, spearheaded by the Environment and Ecology Bureau along with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, aims to address the long-standing issue of pigeon overpopulation and the associated health risks. Pigeon droppings and feathers can spread diseases, posing significant public health risks, while their feeding disrupts their natural foraging behaviours, making them dependent on human-provided food.
Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong Shuk-han, alongside Stanley Li from the legislative council, inaugurated the enforcement campaign at the MTR Hang Hau station. Li emphasised the dual approach of robust enforcement and public education to ensure compliance. He stressed the initial month post-implementation would focus on warnings before moving to stiffer penalties.
The problem of pigeon feeding is not trivial as it impacts city sanitation and causes inconveniences in public areas. Prior to the amendment, actions against feeding pigeons were limited to the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation and the Fixed Penalty (Public Cleanliness and Obstruction) Ordinance. The new law closes this loophole and introduces harsher penalties that reflect the severity of the consequences of illegal feeding.
The government’s approach is comprehensive. It includes enhancing public awareness at entry ports and tourist-heavy areas and considering the deployment of technology such as CCTV to aid enforcement. Additionally, strategies are in place to gradually reintroduce pigeons to their natural habitats by establishing pigeon-friendly zones where they can be fed legally, thus minimising interaction with the public and reducing health risks.
For enforcement, a multi-departmental collaboration involves police, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, and the Housing Department. These agencies are equipped to take a risk-based approach to enforce the law effectively, focusing on areas known for illegal feeding activities.
Critics of the new penalties deem them too severe; however, authorities argue that the high penalties are necessary to deter behaviour that has significant negative implications for both public health and the well-being of the pigeons themselves. The law also stipulates exemptions for domesticated pigeons or those with special permits, such as racing pigeons, which are typically confined to lofts and do not pose a public nuisance.
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