Indian house crow

The birds carry diseases like West Nile virus and Newcastle disease, endangering both humans and animals

In a bid to tackle the nuisance created by invasive Indian house crows, authorities in coastal Kenya have initiated a culling operation aimed at eliminating a million of these birds. Unlike the scenario in Alfred Hitchcock’s horror film “The Birds,” this initiative targets the crows, which have caused significant disruptions for decades by preying on wildlife, raiding tourist areas, and attacking poultry farms. The culling, involving the use of poison, has commenced in Watamu and Malindi, with the goal of preventing the crows’ advance toward Nairobi. Known locally as “kunguru” or “kurabu,” these crows originated from India and other parts of Asia, often traveling on trading ships. They were intentionally introduced to East Africa in the 1890s to address a waste problem in Zanzibar. The crows were first recorded in Mombasa in 1947, and their population has since surged due to the abundance of rubbish and lack of natural predators. The Indian house crows are considered one of the world’s most invasive and destructive birds. They have severely impacted biodiversity by preying on indigenous species, including birds, mammals, and reptiles. Conservationists report significant declines in small native bird populations, such as weavers and waxbills, due to the crows’ nest-raiding behavior. Eunice Katana, a farmer in Kilifi county, describes the crows’ behavior as wild and damaging, noting that they attack livestock and defecate on houses. Residents also complain about the birds’ early morning noise and their tendency to dirty tree shades. The poisoning campaign aims to halve the crow population, following consultations with environmental experts, conservationists, community leaders, and the hotel industry. The culling process involves months of pre-baiting, followed by poisoning at gathering sites using Starlicide, an avian poison effective against crows without harming other species. In 2022, tests of the poison killed close to 2,000 crows. Currently, 2kg (4.4lb) of poison is available in Kenya, sufficient to kill about 20,000 crows, with plans to import more from New Zealand. However, the use of poison has raised ethical concerns among animal and bird rights activists, who argue for humane, sustainable alternatives. Despite these concerns, proponents of the culling emphasize the need to protect native species and maintain ecological balance. This culling effort is not Kenya’s first attempt to control invasive bird species; a similar program over 20 years ago had some success before being halted. Now, with the crows spreading inland, authorities are determined to act decisively to prevent further ecological damage.