EAGLES AT CHANGI AIRPORT: Heavy-handed

The Straits Times
Oct 30, 2009
Heavy-handed

'First World countries would not even suggest engaging gun club members.''

MISS MICHELLE ELIZABETH YIN:

'The authorities in other First World countries would not even suggest engaging gun club members to shoot their way out of a bird problem as Changi Airport is doing, not only because of pressure from animal activists but also because of the values of their public.

We can never match up if we do not give priority to humanitarian rights over practicality in our attitude towards animals.

Airports with much worse bird strikes did not take the 'last resort' but instead took the trouble to station a wildlife biologist.

I hope the airport's measure was taken not merely to prevent inconvenience, as in the culling of strays by town councils ahead of a VIP function to enhance the estate's clean and neat environment.

Just because birds are animals should not be a reason not to invest resources to find the most humane and effective way to solve the problem.''