Officials must crack down on people feeding feral pigeons at bus terminus

About two months ago I wrote to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department regarding the alarming feral pigeon population gathered at the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry bus terminus.

I pointed out that entire bags of breadcrumbs were scattered every day directly in front of that large advertising billboard located next to the KMB information desk.

I said pigeon droppings were everywhere and the floor required regular cleaning because of it. The floor was cleaned with fresh water and the puddles that were left behind became a source of drinking water for the pigeons.

I asked that perhaps they should strictly enforce the HK$1,500 penalty for feeding feral pigeons.

I received a reply from an official, on behalf of director of food and environmental hygiene.

It said that the department inspected the locations several times in February and did not see anyone feeding feral pigeons. Also general hygiene standards were satisfactory. This is surprising, or perhaps I just have a different sense of hygiene, because here is what I see every day:

More than 100 pigeons congregating on the ledges of the Star City building overlooking the bus terminus;

About 50 pigeons gathered under the bus terminus canopy (above the KMB info desk);

People lock their bicycles by the railing near the KMB info desk and the seats are either removed or covered with a plastic bag to prevent pigeon droppings getting on them;

Pigeon droppings that are several centimetres thick cover the roofs of the pay phone booths and I see they get cleaned off every few days by PCCW staff; and

Pigeon droppings are just everywhere in general.

I don't know who else to turn to. It appears our government would rather clean the pigeon droppings every day rather than actively stop people feeding the birds.

I understand that the department cannot deploy its officers everywhere at all times.

But it is certainly the case that this location deserves special attention.

Jason Cheung, Hung Hom