Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Birdwatchers Association (SBWA) urge Kota Kinabalu City Hall to reject quick-fix or destructive control measures as it rolls out the Healthy City Campaign.
SBWA watned that misdirected action could harm native species and upset the urban ecosystem.
The association also threw its full support behind the campaign’s public health goals but insisted long-term solutions must be science-based, humane, and ecologically sound, rather than reactive removal or culling.
SBWA acknowledged that large populations of pigeons and invasive house crows do carry real risks — from disease transmission to sanitation and environmental hazards — and that these concerns deserve urgent attention.
However, the association stressed that birds are also vital ecosystem partners, and poorly designed measures can do more harm than good.
“Kota Kinabalu’s birdlife is part of what makes our city special — but we cannot ignore legitimate public health worries,” SBWA said in a statement adding that the answer is not to choose between people and wildlife; it is to manage responsibly, with precision and care.
SBWA formally invited DBKK to the negotiation table, offering to share ornithological expertise, help formulate best practices, and assist in rolling out sustainable management strategies.
“Balancing hygiene, public health and animal welfare is achievable through cooperation — we just need the right approach,” the association said.
It also called on residents and businesses to do their part: avoid improper feeding practices, keep public spaces clean, and follow official guidelines to reduce food sources that allow pest populations to explode.
“Sabah is known worldwide for its bird diversity,” SBWA added. “Our Healthy City should not just be free of risks — it should remain a place where people and nature thrive together.”
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