Singapore Deploys Robot Decoys and Expert Marksmen as Crow Culling Operations Resume After Six-Year Suspension

Singapore's NParks resumes crow culling after 6 years. See how robot decoys and marksmen manage rising crow attacks in Jurong and 8 other districts.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 2, 2026, 5:47 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from CNA

Targeted Operations Amid Rising Attacks

On Thursday, April 2, 2026, NParks conducted a live demonstration of its resumed crow culling efforts at a heavy vehicle park in Jurong. During the 30-minute operation, a trained marksman successfully downed six crows in flight. This resumption follows a significant surge in crow-related issues; the Municipal Services Office reported 15,000 feedback cases in 2025, a threefold increase from 2020. More concerningly, reports of crow attacks have quadrupled to over 2,000 cases annually, prompting authorities to move beyond passive measures like nest removal and trapping.

High-Tech Decoys and Specialized Tactics

To increase the efficiency of the cull, wildlife management contractors are employing advanced luring techniques. These include robotic crow decoys with realistic flapping wings and electronic "crow callers" that mimic specific vocalizations to draw the birds into designated shooting zones. The marksmen use shotguns firing shells filled with hundreds of tiny pellets, roughly the size of rice grains. Once downed, the carcasses are collected by contractors using biohazard bags and transported for incineration.

Rigorous Safety and Zoning Protocols

Learning from past incidents where stray pellets struck residential buildings, NParks has established strict safety parameters. Shooting zones are now clearly cordoned off with red-and-white tape and orange cones, with a safety radius ranging from 15m to 100m. Marksmen are restricted to upward shots only, and auxiliary police officers from SATS Security Services remain on-site to secure the perimeter and manage the weapons. All personnel are required to wear labeled vests, such as "Crow Culler" or "Operation Commander," to ensure clear role definition during the high-stakes sessions.