Managing Kota Kinabalu's bird population

Daily Express

28-04-2025

Published on: Monday, April 28, 2025
Published on: Mon, Apr 28, 2025
By: Jo Ann Mool Text Size: Pigeon droppings could spread diseases such as Histoplasmosis and Salmonellosis, both of which pose serious health risks, particularly in areas with high human traffic. Kota Kinabalu: Kota Kinabalu City Hall on Saturday launched the 'Bandaraya Sihat, KomunitI Sejahtera (Healthy City, Prosperous Community)' campaign in conjunction with World Health Day 2025, with the aim of creating a healthier and more sustainable urban environment through the effective management of the city's bird population. Speaking at the launch ceremony, Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Sabin Samitah said that the campaign would run for two months, until 25 June 2025, and would focus on raising public awareness of current health issues, disseminating information on bird-borne infectious diseases, and implementing preventive measures to control the bird population, particularly pigeons, crows and the selangkir bird. He said that World Health Day celebrated annually on 7 April, is being marked this year at the city level through the launch of the campaign. The initiative specifically targets the management of urban bird populations in Kota Kinabalu, with a focus on pigeons, crows, and selangkir birds, which rising numbers have created environmental and public health challenges for the city. 'Although wildlife is an integral part of our ecosystem, the increasing population of birds such as crows, pigeons and selangkir in Kota Kinabalu has posed significant challenges for urban management,' he said. 'This campaign represents a crucial effort to manage urban wildlife more effectively and to ensure a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable city that is welcoming to both residents and visitors,' he said. His speech was delivered by Director-General of the Planning and Development Sector, Lifred Wong. Dr Sabin said the campaign is not merely a local initiative but also forms part of Kota Kinabalu's commitment to supporting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). It is designed to achieve urban progress without compromising the natural ecosystem, in line with efforts to conserve biodiversity. 'The presence of crows in Kota Kinabalu city is a relatively new phenomenon. City Hall's monitoring has revealed a growing population of crows, particularly in the Central Business District (CBD),' he said. Their increasing numbers not only affect the city's cleanliness but also impact public tranquillity, he added. Dr Sabin also highlighted the risks associated with pigeons, which are commonly found in tourist hotspots, shopping areas, and public spaces. He said that pigeon droppings could spread diseases such as Histoplasmosis and Salmonellosis, both of which pose serious health risks, particularly in areas with high human traffic. 'The selangkir bird, which was once predominantly found at the forest fringes, has also migrated into the city. Although these birds play a role in the ecosystem, their overpopulation within urban areas has led to hygiene problems and increased maintenance costs for city infrastructure,' he said. Dr Sabin said that, over time, such issues could harm the city's economy and damage Kota Kinabalu's reputation as a premier tourist destination. 'Tourists visiting Kota Kinabalu expect a clean and safe environment. The presence of large numbers of birds and the associated cleanliness problems could tarnish their experience and have negative consequences on the city's image,' he added. To address the challenges, City Hall will implement several measures throughout the campaign. The City Hall advised public members to prioritise cleanliness by ensuring that food waste and rubbish are disposed of promptly, thus removing potential food sources for birds. They are also encouraged not to feed pigeons in public areas to prevent attracting larger flocks. Building owners are advised to seal any openings and install bird deterrents, such as bird spikes, to prevent birds from nesting or roosting on structures. In addition to these public advisories, City Hall will strengthen public hygiene practices through regular sweeping and washing activities in the Central Business District (CBD) to minimise the health risks posed by bird droppings. Public awareness will be boosted through the distribution of health brochures and the installation of signboards prohibiting the feeding of pigeons at strategic locations across the city. City Hall will also carry out monitoring and enforcement activities, including issuing warnings and compounds to individuals caught feeding birds in public spaces. Bird population control efforts such as bird capture operations, nest removal activities (Ops Nyah Sarang), and tree pruning operations (Ops Pangkas) will be conducted to manage areas heavily populated by birds. Dr Sabin said that the success of the campaign relies heavily on smart collaboration between City Hall, the private sector, and the community, in line with the principles of the Local Agenda 21 programme. 'We all have a role to play in ensuring that our city remains balanced, where development and the preservation of nature go hand in hand, safeguarding a healthy and sustainable living environment for everyone,' he said. Dr Sabin thanked all parties involved in the campaign, particularly the Kota Kinabalu Area Health Office, Sabah Wildlife Department, Sabah Veterinary Services Department, Sabah Environmental Protection Department, Sabah Tourism Board, representatives from the Chambers of Commerce and Industry, restaurant and coffee shop associations, and participants from both public and private institutions of higher education. 'Let us join forces to build a city that is healthy, environmentally friendly, safe, and appealing for visitors. With the cooperation of all parties, I am confident that we can create a brighter future for the generations to come,' Dr Sabin said. About 350 people attended the event on Saturday. Also present were Robert Lipon Deputy Director-General (Operations) of City Hall and Chairman of the Organising Committee; Dr Noraziah Bakri Kota Kinabalu Area Health Officer and others. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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