To 'Peacefully Coexist' with Pigeons [Hello? Animal]

Pigeon Droppings Corrode Building Exteriors and Threaten Public Health
Population Surged After Use in Past Government Events
Increased Reproduction Due to 'Domestication'
Estimated 500,000 Pigeons in Seoul City Center
Sick Pigeons Must Be Cared for 'Discreetly'... Pigeons Become Urban 'Nuisance'
Experts: "Supply Infertility Feed to Humanely Coexist with Pigeons"

A pigeon basking in the sunlight at Cheonggyecheon, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] # Mr. A, a man in his 30s working in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, recently received a warning from his company building management not to feed pigeons. Mr. A had found a sick pigeon on the company rooftop and was preparing food to care for it. However, as many pigeons gathered upon discovering the feed, the rooftop became quite crowded. Other employees who felt uncomfortable filed complaints with the building management office, and ultimately, Mr. A was prohibited from caring even for the sick pigeon.

Pigeons living in urban areas have long been considered a 'nuisance.' Due to their strong reproductive ability, they form colonies in various places, dirtying building exteriors with droppings that cause foul odors and corrosion. Additionally, droppings carried by the wind pose health risks to citizens. According to Seoul City last month, complaints related to feral pigeons in urban areas nearly doubled from 682 cases in 2019 to 1,177 cases last year. Citizens express difficulties caused by pigeons or share methods to repel them through online communities and social networking services (SNS). The Ministry of Environment designated feral pigeons as harmful animals in 2009.

Trash bins in the Euljiro area of Jung-gu, Seoul. The site smells so bad due to pigeon droppings. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

Because pigeons fly in the sky, it is difficult to accurately estimate their population. According to the Ministry of Environment, the nationwide pigeon population was 79,731 in 2019, but the Korea Bird Association estimates about 1 million. Of these, approximately 500,000 are believed to reside in Seoul and the metropolitan area.

The increase in pigeons is analyzed to be due to past government actions of mass-importing pigeons, considered 'symbols of peace,' for use in events such as the Olympics and presidential inaugurations, repeatedly releasing them. According to the 'Management Plan for Harmful Feral Pigeons' announced by the Ministry of Environment in 2009, "Feral pigeons were imported into Korea during the 1960s and 1970s to be released at various events as symbols of peace. Subsequently, in the 1980s, in preparation for international events such as the Asian Games and Olympics, they were intensively bred on farms, leading to a rapid increase in their population." Specifically, 3,000 pigeons were released during the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Olympics, respectively.

Pigeons are gathered around Euljiro area in Jung-gu, Seoul, and Jongno area. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

The domestication of pigeons also contributed to the population increase. Domesticated feral pigeons, through artificial selection and domestication, developed vigorous reproductive capabilities, enabling them to breed regardless of season. Feral pigeons are descendants of domesticated pigeons and have adapted over a long time to various environments, allowing them to live in the wild. Domesticated pigeons originated from rock pigeons that inhabit rocky cliffs and are believed to have been first domesticated by farmers in the eastern Mediterranean region between 5,000 and 10,000 years ago. While rock pigeons originally had a very long breeding season, through artificial selection during domestication, they now have a shorter breeding cycle.

Since humans are responsible for the rapid increase in pigeon populations, there is an opinion that methods to coexist with pigeons, which are living beings, should be sought. Mr. A said, "Actually, I still secretly feed pigeons these days. I couldn't ignore the pigeons that looked pitiful." He added, "Many people hate pigeons indiscriminately, probably because they defecate in the city or roam around food waste. It seems to be a problem caused by the excessive number of pigeons, so a solution is needed."

Experts have suggested controlling pigeon populations by supplying sterilization feed. Lee Won-bok, head of the Korea Animal Protection Union, said, "Animal organizations have been requesting the Ministry of Environment and the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency to supply sterilization feed to pigeons to control their population for over 10 years. However, progress has been slow. Local governments have been responding to pigeon complaints with temporary measures," he pointed out. Lee added, "The government should adopt methods like those in Europe, supplying sterilization feed, rather than resorting to temporary measures such as capturing or 'do not feed' notices. This is a humane approach that values life and would be a good way to coexist."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.