Pigeons designated harmful animals

Domestic pigeons, once considered "symbol of peace," were designated as harmful wild animals that damage people`s life and property, the Environment Ministry said yesterday.

In a revised law on wild animals and plants control which became effective yesterday, pigeons can be seized with the permission of local government heads.



Even though their acidic droppings and scattered feathers have caused corrosion to historical structures and inconvenience for citizens, there was no legal restraint that could control their activities nationwide.

Passive measures such as casting nets were taken to prevent them from approaching major buildings, but such efforts have been futile to control their activities and increasing numbers.

Citizens largely welcomed the government`s announcement. In a recent online poll conducted by Yahoo Korea, more than 80 percent of the 7,101 respondents voted for the revised bill while only 12 percent disagreed with it.

Some animal rights groups, however, criticized that the government`s decision is not based on scientific evidence on the harmful effects of pigeons.

Considering such concerns, the Environment Ministry plans to arrange guidelines for effective control of pigeons in a partnership research with a private institute and offer them to local governments.

The domestic pigeon is the most frequently found bird species worldwide. They usually lay two eggs once or twice a year, but sometimes as much as four to six times when.

They also grow quickly. The weight of a pigeon doubles within 34 to 36 hours after birth and they are almost grown within four to six weeks.

By Lee Ji-yoon



(jylee@heraldm.com)