SINGAPORE (HRNW): A 71-year-old woman has found herself in significant legal trouble after her persistent habit of feeding wild birds led to a substantial court-ordered fine. Sanmugamnathan Shamla was ordered to pay 3,200 Singaporean Dollars (approximately 2,518 USD) for repeatedly feeding pigeons near her residential block in Toa Payoh, a violation of the country’s strict Wildlife Act.
The court heard that Shamla admitted to four charges of intentional feeding, with an additional five similar incidents taken into consideration during sentencing. This is not her first encounter with the law regarding this habit; she was previously fined 1,200 SGD in May 2025. Despite that prior conviction and a personal pledge to the court to stop, National Parks Board (NParks) surveillance captured her scattering grain and bread for birds on at least nine occasions between July 2025 and January 2026.
Key Details of the Case
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Recalcitrant Behavior: Prosecutors described the woman as a repeat offender with a “persistent disregard for the law,” noting that she resumed feeding birds just one month after her previous court appearance.
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Evidence: Video footage presented in court showed the elderly woman surrounded by large flocks of pigeons near her flat, often feeding them late at night.
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Health and Safety Concerns: The court emphasized that feeding wildlife is not a harmless act; it causes unnatural bird population growth, leads to environmental contamination through droppings, and poses serious public health risks by attracting other pests like rats.
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Financial Plea: Although Shamla requested a lower fine—citing that she is unemployed and lacks medical insurance—the judge maintained the penalty to serve as a deterrent, given her history of broken promises to the authorities.
Under Singapore’s Wildlife Act, repeat offenders caught feeding wildlife without written approval can face fines of up to 10,000 SGD per charge. Following the announcement of the 3,200 SGD total, the woman informed the court she would settle the amount on the same day.
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