Territory-wide Feeding Ban

Human feeding of wild animals and feral pigeons (commonly known as domestic pigeons or rock pigeons) causes them to become overpopulated, leading them to compete with other species for resources, resulting in ecological imbalance, and potentially increasing the risk of disease transmission. Through frequent contact with humans, human feeding can alter their natural behaviour, and some monkeys and wild pigs have lost their natural fear of humans and can sometimes become aggressive, proactively snatching plastic bags or food from people’s hands, leading to incidents of human injury. Furthermore, some animals may be attracted by the provisioned food and congregate near residential areas, causing various nuisance problems, while the food remnants left by the feeders and the animal droppings can also foul public places, constituting public health issues.

To further curb illegal feeding activities, the Government has submitted the Wild Animals Protection (Amendment) Bill 2023 (“the Bill”) to the Legislative Council in November 2023. The Bill extends the feeding ban on wild animals to also cover feral pigeons; increases the maximum penalty for illegal feeding to a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year; introduces a fixed penalty system with a fine of $5,000 for illegal feeding; and expands the categories of enforcement officers. The Bill has been passed by the Legislative Council and has come into effect on 1 August 2024. Currently, appointed officers from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and the Housing Department, as well as police officers, will be empowered to enforce the Ordinance on illegal feeding. They will have the right to demand personal details and inspect the proof of identity of any suspected offenders to aid enforcement. Furthermore, enforcement officers shall also present their written appointment for inspection by any person who reasonably requires to see it.

Since the first quarter of 2024, the AFCD has launched a new series of publicity and education campaigns themed "All For No Feeding" to reach out to a wider range of the public across different age groups. The aim is to educate them on the negative impacts of feeding wild animals and feral pigeons, as well as explain the latest feeding restrictions and the associated penalties. The initiatives include the release of promotional videos, the placement of advertisements, the setup of publicity booths at public places, the display of banners at identified feeding blackspots, and the distribution of informational leaflets and posters.

Please click the icons to download the related leaflet and poster:

 [Download Acrobat Reader to open PDF document]

Please click the icon to watch an animation video about the Ordinance amendments:

Schedule of "All for No Feeding" Booths