A juvenile chicken was trapped by a pest control company at Block 14 Dover Close East on 29 August 2024. Valerie Tan posted a video and photo of the incident on the Singapore Wildlife Sightings Facebook group. Tan claimed that Clean Solutions, engaged by West Coast Town Council, was responsible for trapping chickens in the area. The photo showed the juvenile chicken in a trap, separated from its mother. Tan confronted the pest control worker, who explained that he could not trap the roosters and had caught the juvenile instead. Tan expressed concern that the chick was stressed and “dying.” West Coast Town Council did not respond to multiple inquiries about the incident, leaving the fate of the trapped chicken uncertain.
Background
The trapping of the juvenile chicken has sparked concern among local residents and animal welfare advocates. Valerie Tan, who witnessed the event, reported hearing the mother hen’s “distress cries.” The incident highlights ongoing issues with wildlife management in urban areas, where animals are often seen as nuisances. The lack of response from West Coast Town Council has added to the uncertainty and frustration surrounding the incident.
Acres statement
Kalai Vanan, co-CEO of the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres), suggested that the pest control company might have been engaged due to public complaints. “Unfortunately, because poultry is not protected wildlife, culling practices such as these are allowed to happen,” Kalai said. He explained that chickens, like other birds such as pigeons, crows, and mynas, are often culled when deemed a nuisance. Kalai noted that while cage traps are standard practice, they cause stress to the animals. “Ideally, once trapped, the animals should be transferred to a carrier,” he added.
Public feeding and population control
Kalai emphasised the importance of not feeding wild animals, as it leads to population increases. “Acres has been proactively reminding the public not to feed wild animals as it will cause a rise in their population,” he said. Kalai called for a shift away from trapping and culling towards more humane methods, including educational efforts and stronger enforcement against errant feeders. “We hope to move towards more humane population management practices,” he concluded.
Future implications
The incident at Dover Close East raises questions about the effectiveness and ethics of current wildlife management practices. The lack of response from West Coast Town Council leaves residents and animal welfare groups in the dark about future actions. This event may prompt a review of pest control policies and encourage the adoption of more humane and sustainable methods. The community’s reaction and ongoing advocacy from organisations like Acres could lead to significant changes in how urban wildlife is managed in the future.
