Hong Kong’s pigeon population drops in hotspots across city amid wildlife feeding ban
- Four hotspots showed a scattered presence of the birds, with few to no droppings and traces of bird feed, Post finds
Hong Kong recorded a notable decline in the number of pigeons gathered in hotspots amid a citywide ban on feeding wild animals that took effect on Thursday.
Four sites where pigeons frequently gathered showed only a scattered presence of them, with few to no droppings and traces of bird feed, such as rice and breadcrumbs, according to a morning check by the Post.
The areas surveyed were Lai Kok Estate in Sham Shui Po, Wah Fu and Wah Kwai estates in Pok Fu Lam, and South Horizons in Ap Lei Chau.
Only a handful of pigeons were spotted in the open spaces of these housing estates, including along roadside trees, on the roofs of footbridges and on MTR station exits.
Banners warning passers-by against feeding wild birds were displayed prominently in these neighbourhoods, reminding residents of the risks of contracting avian diseases and contamination of public areas.
But among the 32 residents the Post spoke to, only three said they were aware of the ban’s enactment.
