House Crows Become A Nuisance In Hong Kong

HONG KONG, CHINA - NOVEMBER 03: Birds are pictured as some 300 House Crows have become a nuisance at Sham Shui Po on October 3, 2005 in Hong Kong, China. Green groups consider that the introduced birds should be controlled before the problem gets out of hand. Measures such as shooting and poisoning are proposed. The SAR Government sought to calm concerns that crows could spread the avian flu virus. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said there is very little chance of that happening. It also outlined its effort to control and monitor the population of crows in Hong Kong. With the implementation of different measures including anesthetic baiting and the removal of eggs and chicks, the local house crow population has stabilized at less than 300. The spokesman urged the public to observe good personal hygiene and avoid contact with wild birds and their droppings. Feeding of wild birds is highly undesirable. It will change their eating habits, attracting them to gather at certain locations and creating environmental nuisance. (Photo by MN Chan/Getty Images)