- Title: MALAYSIA: CROW CONTROL SQUAD SHOOT HOUSE CROWS
- Date: 19th August 1994
- Summary: SHAH ALAM AND PORT KLANG, KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA (RECENT) (RTV - ACCESS ALL) SHAH ALAM 1. SLV CROW HUNTERS FIRING THEIR RIFLES IN NEIGHBOURHOOD 0.05 2. SV CROW HUNTER SHOOTS AT CROWS OVER HIGHWAY 0.08 3. TRACK CROW HUNTER CARRYING HIS RIFLE THROUGH NEIGHBOURHOOD0.11 4. SV CROW HUNTER SHOOTS AND HITS A CROW ON THE HIGHWA/ RI
- Embargoed: 3rd September 1994 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: SHAH ALAM AND PORT KLANG, KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
- City:
- Country: Malaysia
- Reuters ID: LVAAX6062T4ZKNTTO08FXI1PM3N7
- Story Text: Some 50 men are out on a shooting spree and it is not the most comforting sound to wake up to in the early hours of Sunday morning.
But these men, rifles in hand, are not wreaking havoc in the quiet neighbourhoods of this Kuala Lumpur suburb. In the pre-dawn hours, they are known as the "crow-control-squad".
"Corvus splendens" or house crows, known for their constant association with rubbish, are not a popular species here.
Brought to Malaysia's Port Klang at the turn of the century to wipe out a caterpillar plague, the large black birds have adapted well to their urban environment.
Too well, in fact. The locals now complain of their unpleasant appearance, harsh caws and rapid proliferation.
Crow shoots began in the mid-1970s in an attempt to eradicate the unwanted birds. Authorised by the health ministry, about 50 men gather each Sunday for a shooting spree.
Driving away with their makeshift licences, the hunters eye their prey and then have the dirty job of picking up the remains after the kill.
The crow squad are not in it for the money -- each dead crow is worth only 50 cents. But they say it is a good hobby.
"I heard they tried to sell (the crows) to the zoo for the crocodiles, but they refused to eat (them). A lot of feathers I think," said one shooter, who gave his name as Choek.
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