How to Fundamentally Eradicate Pigeons Entering Seoul Subway?

Seoul Subway Receives 131 Complaints About Pigeon Nuisance in Past Year at Hapjeong, Sindorim, Wangsimni Stations
Continuous Efforts with Bird Spikes and Collision Prevention Facilities... Solving Issues While Protecting Wild Birds
President Baekho: "Exploring Various Methods in Construction... Asking Citizens to Maintain Clean Environment by Not Leaving Food Waste"

In April 1971, to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony of Seoul Subway Line 1, a thousand pigeons flew into the sky along with thousands of balloons. However, in 2024, pigeons no longer symbolize peace and blessings in the Seoul subway.

Seoul Subway is struggling with pigeons. Recently, Hapjeong Station displayed photos of birds of prey, and Sindorim Station hung a model of the pigeon’s natural predator, the Eurasian kestrel, in the waiting area, drawing public attention. These ideas emerged as ways to prevent pigeon intrusion amid increasing complaints caused by pigeons. Seoul Metro (President Baek Ho) is exploring various methods to block the entry of pigeons and other wild birds into the subway to alleviate citizen inconvenience.

From January last year to January this year, there were a total of 131 complaints related to pigeons inside stations, mostly requesting removal of pigeons present within the stations. The stations with the highest number of pigeon intrusion complaints were Hapjeong(2), Sindorim, and Wangsimni(2) stations, in that order.

The main reasons for the high pigeon intrusion are that these stations are located within 3 km of the Han River, and the presence of food sources such as bread crumbs carelessly dropped by customers.

Regional Characteristics of Stations with Pigeon Intrusion

Pigeon intrusion inside stations is not just a nuisance but also poses safety risks. In April 2022, at Sindorim Station, a person ducked to avoid a pigeon flying overhead and hit the corner of a gate, resulting in a laceration near the eye.

In August 2021, during pigeon removal work on the catenary wire at Nowon Station on Line 4, contact with a cleaning mop caused a power outage on the overhead wire, nearly resulting in a major accident.

A catenary wire is an additional wire that secures the overhead wire to prevent sagging.

To block wild bird intrusion and prevent major accidents, Seoul Metro first installed bird spikes at five aboveground stations including Sanggye(4) and Dobongsan(7) stations. They plan to gradually install nets and bird spikes at other aboveground stations with frequent bird intrusion. Additionally, they are considering pilot installations of bird repellents near entrances of 35 underground stations and ultrasonic repellents at selected stations.

Targets: 35 stations (stations with pigeon intrusion)

- Hapjeong(2), Sindorim, Wangsimni(2), Seoul(1), City Hall(1), Jamsilsaenae, Seolleung, Daerim(7), Mullae, Nowon(7), Hanam Pungsan, Myeonmok, Jongno 5-ga, East Station(2), Euljiro 3-ga(2), Sangwangsimni, Wangsimni(5), Sillim, Yeongdeungpo-gu Office(2), Hongdae Entrance, Ahyeon, Jongno 3-ga(1), Yaksu(6), Ssangmun, Balsan, Jongno 3-ga(5), Cheonggu, Gangdong, World Cup Stadium, Mapo-gu Office, Madeul, Gangnam-gu Office, Gwangmyeong Sageori, Amsa, Garak Market

Targets: 8 stations

- Konkuk University Entrance(2), Dangsan, Guui, Daerim(2), Dobongsan, Ttukseom, Sanggye, Nowon(4)

To manage wild bird intrusion, measures such as controlling food sources, public awareness campaigns, cleaning, and complaint guidance have been established. Public campaigns and education are strengthened to prohibit artificial feeding and sales, and food waste that could serve as food sources for feral pigeons is strictly managed. Furthermore, when birds intrude, they will be promptly guided outside and droppings removed to minimize citizen inconvenience.

Blocking wild birds is not the only approach. Protective devices for wild birds are also being installed. From October 17 to December 15, 2023, a 51-day survey at entrances of five stations confirmed 126 instances of wild birds colliding with transparent glass at subway entrances.

The five surveyed stations?Sinchon, Ewha Womans University, Ahyeon, Seodaemun, and Mapo?were reported to have frequent wild bird collisions.

In accordance with Article 8-2 of the Wildlife Protection and Management Act (Prevention of Damage to Wildlife Caused by Artificial Structures), Seoul Metro has planned phased installation of collision prevention facilities on glass entrance canopies to protect wild birds frequently colliding with them. First, pilot installations were completed this year at 8 locations across 4 stations with new canopies. By July, an additional 24 locations at 18 stations will be installed, followed by phased installation at 630 locations across 214 stations.

In February this year, pilot installations of bird collision prevention facilities were completed on glass canopies at Jongno 3-ga, Jamsil, Yeouinaru, and Noksapyeong stations (4 stations, 8 locations).

Other countries also face difficulties with pigeons. The United States, Spain, and Italy have introduced pigeon contraceptive feed, which reduces populations without causing starvation. Germany installs pigeon houses where eggs are removed and replaced with plastic artificial eggs to reduce pigeon numbers.

Baek Ho, President of Seoul Metro, said, “We are exploring various methods to block pigeon intrusion inside stations that cause inconvenience to citizens. We also ask citizens to cooperate by refraining from feeding pigeons or leaving food waste around stations to maintain a pleasant environment.”

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