Singapore to Resume Crow Killings as Attacks Surge

After a five-year pause, crow shooting operations will resume across Singapore next month. The authorities say that it is necessary to curb a sharp rise in aggressive bird attacks and public safety risks.

Announcing the decision, Chee Hong Tat said the National Parks Board (NParks) had consulted the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Singapore Police Force before reintroducing controlled shooting as part of a broader population management strategy. The decision marks a significant policy shift. Crow shooting was discontinued in 2020 after stray shotgun pellets struck nearby homes during enforcement operations, raising public safety concerns. Since then, authorities relied on trapping, nest removal and reducing food sources , but officials now say those efforts alone have not been enough.

Key Reasons Behind the Decision

Why Are Crows Being Shot?

Singapore’s crow population has expanded rapidly in recent years. Originally introduced decades ago, the birds have thrived in dense urban areas, feeding on unsecured rubbish, food waste, and scraps left at hawker centres and housing estates. Officials cited several escalating concerns, in 2025 alone, the Municipal Services Office received about 15,000 crow-related feedback cases, triple the number in 2020, reported crow attacks rose fourfold to more than 2,000 cases, with birds swooping at pedestrians, cyclists and schoolchildren, particularly during nesting season. There have been rising complaints of persistent noise and droppings in residential estates. Crows can potentially spread pathogens and contaminate food sources, though Singapore has not reported major disease outbreaks linked to them.

Wildlife experts note that crows are highly intelligent and adaptable. With few natural predators in Singapore and abundant urban food sources, their numbers can increase quickly if not actively managed.

The Numbers Behind the Surge

NParks data illustrates the scale of the problem. Nearly 9,000 nests removed islandwide in 2025, up from just over 600 in 2021,more than 13,000 crows aere trapped and removed in 2025, compared to about 1,800 in 2021.Despite these intensified efforts, complaints and attacks continued climbing, prompting authorities to reintroduce shooting as a supplementary measure.

Officials stressed that strict safety protocols will be in place to avoid a repeat of the 2020 pellet incidents.The measures include, shooting only upwards, never horizontally, clearly cordoned-off zones with prominent signage, deployment of sufficient safety personnel to prevent public access, operations conducted by licensed wildlife management contractors certified in firearm handling. Besides, auxiliary police officers will not be directly conducting the shooting; instead, trained contractors operating under police oversight will carry out the culls. Operations are expected to target high-density roosting areas and known nesting hotspots, particularly in industrial estates and residential zones with repeated attack reports.

The move is likely to spark debate among residents and animal welfare advocates. While some Singaporeans have expressed frustration over repeated swooping incidents and noise disturbances, others may question the necessity of lethal control measures. However, Singapore’s highly urbanised landscape presents unique wildlife management challenges. With limited natural habitats and high population density, conflicts between humans and adaptable species like crows can escalate quickly. For now, sharpshooters will once again take to designated rooftops and open spaces, in a carefully controlled effort to bring balance back to the skies over Singapore.