S'pore woman, 64, fined S$6,500 after repeatedly feeding pigeons in attempt to 'rescue' them

A Singapore woman was fined for continuously feeding pigeons despite numerous warnings.

In addition, she tried to evade National Parks Board (NParks) officers by boarding a bus and providing them with false details.

According to CNA, Soh Choon Heong pleaded guilty to three charges of feeding wildlife without approval and one charge of hindering an authorised officer in the exercise of their duties under the Wildlife Act.

The 64-year-old was subsequently fined S$6,500.

Seven other counts for feeding wildlife without approval were taken into consideration.

Continue to feed

CNA reported that Soh was aware that feeding wildlife was an offence, but continued to feed pigeons multiple times from September 2024 to September 2025.

NParks received feedback about Soh and conducted multiple surveillance operations along Scotts Road on Sep. 1, 2024, Nov. 9, 2024 and Feb. 14, 2025.

On Feb. 14, 2025, NParks officers observed Soh feeding pigeons at Far East Plaza.

According to video footage produced in court, Soh could be seen sitting outside Far East Plaza and feeding a flock of pigeons, CNA wrote.

NParks officers then approached Soh to record her particulars, but she claimed she did not have her identity card and provided her details verbally.

She then walked towards a nearby bus stop as officers continued to talk to her.

Soh tried to evade the officers by boarding the bus, but the officers followed her on board and continued to ask for her details.

She then gave them a fake name, "Tan Siew Siew", and a wrong NRIC number, said CNA.

An officer suspected that Soh's information was false when she stumbled over the details.

At the next bus stop, the officers followed Soh as she quickly alighted.

As Soh refused to cooperate, the officers called the police for assistance.

A police report was subsequently lodged after a search of her belongings revealed her driving licence, allowing officers to establish her identity.

Finds pigeons "pathetic"

During mitigation, Soh explained that the false name she provided was a name everyone called her, CNA stated.

According to Shin Min Daily News, Soh said that she had lost money on failed investments during the Covid-19 pandemic and was disappointed in life.

However, when she saw the pigeons, she found them "very pathetic".

"So at that moment, I become spirited and wanted to live my life. I'm still able to work, but the pigeons are unable to do so," Soh added.

To which Magistrate Don Ho replied: "But they don't have to work what?"

He noted that pigeons can eat leftover food and scavenge in the rubbish bins of hawker centres.

CNA reported that Soh repeatedly claimed she fed the pigeons instant noodles or crumbs to "rescue" them, and that she wrapped them in a towel and cut off hooks, strings, or knots attached to them.

However, Ho pointed out that Soh had not cut anything in the video shown in court, but she retorted that she had "yet to grab the pigeon" and decided to act slowly.