"Angry After Bird Droppings Hit Him" 70-Year-Old Man Arrested for Spraying Pesticide Causing Mass Death of Sparrows

Seoul Mapo Police Station logo / Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] A man in his 70s who spread bait soaked with pesticide along the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail in Mapo-gu, Seoul, causing the deaths of dozens of sparrows and pigeons, was arrested by the police.

On the 24th, the Mapo Police Station in Seoul announced that they have booked and are investigating a man in his 70s, Mr. A, on suspicion of violating the Wildlife Protection and Management Act last month.

Last month, the bodies of 80 sparrows and 12 pigeons were found around the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail area. An autopsy requested by the police to the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency detected pesticide components in the birds' bodies. The detected pesticide is a colorless and odorless highly toxic pesticide that is difficult to identify when mixed with food or water. It was deregistered in December 2011 and production was halted the following year.

The police tracked the suspect through analysis of nearby CCTV footage and inquiries. The arrested Mr. A reportedly stated during the police investigation that he committed the crime because he was angry after bird droppings fell on his clothes while walking.

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