Pigeon strangled to death by anti-bird netting at Star Ferry Pier

An animal protection group urged the government to take off bird prevention netting in Tsim Sha Tsui after a pigeon was strangled by the nets at Star Ferry Pier.

To prevent birds from gathering and dropping feces, the government has added bird spikes on top of the bus terminal at the Star Ferry Pier several years ago. Green prevention netting has been established recently. 

Hong Kong Pigeon and Dove Rescue said that the pigeon was trapped last Saturday and died before firefighters arrived.

The group said it has seen pigeons trapped by the bird spike, and has contacted the relevant departments for response. 

It said wildlife management should adopt a humane, animal-based approach, adding that it has earlier proposed more humane measures including setting up pigeon boxes. But they were turned down by authorities. 

"We strongly oppose the measure (bird prevention net)," the group said. It has recently launched a social media campaign to urge the government to remove the green net. 

The group pointed out that some birds can enter via the holes in the net, and their wings and feet could be hooked to the netting. 

Despite the installation of bird spikes on top of Star Ferry Bus Terminus in 2020, birds continue to gather there, it said.