It was found that 351 feral pigeons were observed around Seoul Station.
According to the report "Research for responding to current issues of wild birds and for coexistence," recently published on the 24th by the National Institute of Biological Resources, the number of feral pigeons confirmed around Seoul Station in Nov. last year peaked at 351. The institute said that a survey of 45 major points in Seoul showed that feral pigeons tended to concentrate in spaces with heavy foot traffic and frequent outdoor eating, such as Hangang Park.
The feral pigeon survey was conducted twice, in Feb. and Nov. last year, at 36 "no feeding zones" and nine areas not designated as such. Among these, key areas—including 14 no feeding zones and seven undesignated sites—underwent one additional survey each in Mar., Apr., May, Jul., and Aug.
Among the no feeding zones, Ichon Hangang Park ranked first with a maximum of 322 feral pigeons (Nov. last year). It was followed by Gwangnaru Hangang Park (up to 228) and Yeouido Hangang Park (up to 193).
In areas not designated as no feeding zones, Seoul Station had the most, with a maximum of 351 confirmed. At Seoul Station, the average number of feral pigeons observed in seven surveys last year was 147.9. Next were Cheongnyangni Station (up to 151) and Olympic Park (up to 143).
The institute's researchers said, "Seoul Station and Cheongnyangni Station are historical spaces where human activity and food resources have been continuously provided over a long period," adding, "Feral pigeons show high site fidelity to places where they can repeatedly obtain food, and population density tends to increase especially in historical urban spaces."
Regarding Hangang Park, they explained, "It is a space where walking, outdoor eating, and resting activities are concentrated, so it is highly likely that food resources have been continuously provided to feral pigeons," adding, "Such an environment likely served as stable habitat conditions for feral pigeons that have a high adaptability to human activity."
The researchers, noting that areas designated as no feeding zones had, on average, fewer feral pigeons than undesignated areas, said, "Designating no feeding zones may be effective."
In Jan. last year, when the Wildlife Protection Act was revised, local governments became able to prohibit feeding "harmful wild animals," such as feral pigeons, by local government ordinance. The Seoul Metropolitan Government designated 38 "no feeding zones for harmful wild animals" in Jul. last year, and it is understood that about 30 local governments have enacted ordinances related to feeding bans.
However, there are no known cases where actual enforcement has taken place. Violating the feeding ban for harmful wild animals results in fines of 200,000 won for the first offense, 500,000 won for the second, and 1 million won for the third.