Feeding Ban of Wild Animals

According to the current Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170) (the Ordinance), feeding of wild animals (including wild pigs, monkeys and wild birds) is prohibited across the entire territory of Hong Kong. Offenders would be prosecuted and upon conviction, they are liable to a maximum fine of $10,000.

To further curb illegal feeding activities and strengthen deterrence effect, the Government submitted the Wild Animals Protection (Amendment) Bill 2023 to the Legislative Council in November of 2023. The amendment bill proposes to extend the feeding ban of wild animals to cover feral pigeons, increase the maximum penalty for illegal feeding to $100,000 and one year's imprisonment, introduce a fixed penalty system with a fine of $5,000, and expand the categories of enforcement officers. If the above amendment is passed by the Legislative Council, it is expected to come into effect on 1 August 2024.

Since the first quarter of 2024, the AFCD has launched a series of publicity and education campaigns themed "All For No Feeding" to reach out to a wider range of the public, educating them on the negative impacts of feeding wild animals and feral pigeons, as well as explaining the feeding restriction. The AFCD has also rolled out various publicity and education initiatives to raise public awareness of the latest regulations and penalties regarding the prohibition on feeding wild animals and feral pigeons after the Ordinance amendment, including releasing promotional videos, publishing advertisements, setting up publicity booths, displaying banners at feeding blackspots, and distributing related leaflets and posters.