A man passing by a crow trap in Boon Lay was surprised to notice a hornbill stuck inside with the crows.
According to him, the hornbill seemed distressed at the time.
Fortunately, it had been released by the time he returned five hours later.
Image courtesy of Jia Siang
Speaking to MS News, Jia Sang said he posted the footage online after witnessing the scene at 5.30pm on 25 Aug.
At the time, he was cycling home from work.
As he passed by Boon Lay Drive, Jia Sang came across a crow trap near Block 178. A couple was standing beside it, taking photos.
Image courtesy of Jia Siang
Looking inside, Jia Siang was surprised at the sight of a hornbill within.
“Lots of crows were flying around in the cage around the lone hornbill,” he told MS News. He suspected that it had entered by mistake.
Jia Siang also claimed that the hornbill seemed “distressed” flying among the many crows.
However, the footage seemed to show the hornbill periodically chasing the crows around the cage.
Image courtesy of Jia Siang
The crows appeared more desperate to leave, actively trying to find a way out.
Meanwhile, the hornbill stayed in the centre while looking around.
At the end of the video, it took off into the corner, chasing a crow away.
Jia Sang also expressed concern that the murder of crows might attack the hornbill once the food bait ran out.
Image courtesy of Jia Siang
Jia Siang alleged that he passed by the trap again at 10.30pm and found the hornbill no longer inside.
There were also fewer crows remaining within.
Mr How Choon Beng, Group Director for Wildlife Management at NParks, told MS News that they were alerted to an Oriental Pied Hornbill being found inside of a crow trap on 25 Aug.
Image courtesy of Jia Siang
NParks retrieved the bird the same day from the trap at Block 179 Boon Lay Drive.
They assessed it to be in “good condition” and subsequently released it at Jurong Central Park.
Additionally, Mr How stated that house crows are an invasive non-native species that poses a threat to native biodiversity.
NParks thus takes measures to manage the population, including traps.
The cages used for trapping have a sheltered section to provide shade, and a bowl of water is placed within for the birds.
NParks stated the members of the public who spot non-crow birds inside the traps can call the Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600.
Also read: Petition calls to end crow culling in S’pore, says shooting is ‘unecessary’ & ‘unkind’
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Featured image courtesy of Jia Siang.