NEARLY 6,000 crows in Klang, Selangor, have been culled up to mid-September in a population-control operation following public complaints over noise and dirty conditions associated with bird droppings.
The operation by Klang Royal City Council (MBDK), in collaboration with the police, took place in five locations – Klang city centre, Taman Melawis, Klang Jaya, Bandar Bukit Tinggi and Pandamaran.
Klang mayor Datuk Abd Hamid Hussain said the “Crow Shooting Ops Series 2” was aimed at eliminating the problem of public nuisance caused by increased crow population.
“In the one-day operation, carried out from 7am to 7pm, 3,083 crows were shot, bringing the combined count under MBDK’s crow population-control efforts to 5,963 this year,” he said.
Abd Hamid said the operation was in response to public complaints over loud cawing and unhygienic conditions near food courts.
“Crows can cause problems in urban areas including droppings, scattered food waste, unpleasant odours and persistent cawing.
“Their presence raises hygiene concerns, particularly around food premises where waste is improperly disposed of.”
Abd Hamid said the operation was part of MBDK’s broader efforts to manage the crow population and improve cleanliness.
“MBDK’s crow operation highlights challenges of managing wildlife in urban environments, where readily available food can encourage birds and other animals to forage for scraps.”
MBDK Corporate Communications Department director Norfiza Mahfiz said enforcement personnel worked with licensed shooters to ensure the operation was carried out in compliance with relevant regulations.
“While population control exercises address immediate nuisance and hygiene concerns, MBDK also has to look at long-term measures such as using traps and reducing food sources,” she said.
She advised residents and stall operators at food courts to dispose of food waste properly to discourage scavenging animals.
Norfiza said managing crow population was an ongoing process requiring both enforcement and efforts to reduce food sources that attracted the pests.
“Our latest operation shows the continuing challenge of balancing urban cleanliness, public concerns, and pest management as Klang’s urban landscape develops,” she said.
MBDK has planned for another crow shooting exercise on Nov 28.
