NParks investigates alleged wild chicken capture in Pasir Ris Park

SINGAPORE: A man in Singapore has allegedly been killing wild chickens in Pasir Ris Park, bringing attention to the incident through a post on Facebook by user Joel Lee.

On Saturday (17 Feb), Lee shared images in the Nature Society Singapore Facebook group, depicting a man carrying what appeared to be a lifeless chicken.

The post by Lee has raised questions about the legality and potential consequences of such actions, leading to concerns among wildlife advocates.

In his Facebook post, Lee expressed astonishment at the abundance of chickens on the island and questioned why no one catches them for food.

He recounted witnessing the killing during his walk and voiced concerns about the legality of the act, prompting the query, “Will the authorities do something?”

Subsequently, Lee reported the incident to NParks and the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES).

Netizens express legal and moral concerns

Under Lee’s post, numerous netizens expressed their concerns about the matter.

One user pointed out the illegality, citing the Wild Animals and Birds Act, stating that killing or keeping any wild animal without a license is an offence.

Another user weighed in, asserting that regardless of the legal perspective, it’s morally wrong to kill a free-roaming bird in the park.

The user called for action against individuals engaging in such practices, expressing worry about potential harm to other wildlife or even pets like dogs and cats.

In a similar vein, another user emphasized the illegality of the act, advocating for its immediate cessation.

They underscored the distinction between free-roaming wild animals and chickens bred for consumption.

NParks investigates alleged capture of free-ranging chicken

The National Parks Board (NParks) is currently investigating a case involving a man who allegedly caught a free-ranging chicken at Pasir Ris Park on 17 February.

Responding to inquiries from the Straits Times (ST), NParks group director of parks, Chia Seng Jiang, highlighted that capturing or displacing any animal within a public park without the approval of the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation is an offence under the Parks and Trees Regulations.

Mr Chia emphasized that engaging in activities within a public park that may cause harm to, or the death of, any animal or organism is strictly prohibited.

Offenders may face fines of up to S$5,000, according to NParks.

Over the past five years, NParks has taken enforcement action against one individual for taking wild chickens from parks.

Highlighting the potential health risks, Mr Chia urged the public not to touch birds such as free-ranging chickens, as they could carry various diseases.

NParks conducts routine surveillance of birds to detect diseases, emphasizing that prolonged contact increases the risk to human health.

To minimize the risk of disease transmission, the public is advised to thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water if they come in contact with wild animals or their waste.

In addition, Mr Chia stressed the importance of purchasing and consuming food products, including poultry, from approved sources to ensure food safety.

ACRES responds to alleged wild chicken killing in Pasir Ris Park

Anbarasi Boopal, co-chief executive officer of ACRES, confirmed on Monday (19 Feb) that the society promptly filed a report with the National Parks Board (NParks) for investigation after learning of the incident through media queries.

Revealing the organization’s regular encounters with such cases, Boopal stated that ACRES receives one to two reports annually about people catching wildfowl.

She emphasized the prevalent issue of free-roaming and wild chickens in Singapore, particularly in parks and green spaces.

Boopal underscored the importance of increasing public awareness, urging people to refrain from feeding or catching these animals.

Expressing concern over a growing trend, Boopal highlighted that various chicken breeds, such as Silkies, Serama chickens, and hybrids, are being found free-roaming, potentially abandoned as pets.

In addressing challenges faced by the organization, she acknowledged the objections from residents to culling operations initiated by town councils aiming to manage the poultry population.