Man-crow Coexistence Achieved by Garbage Ma Gement: a Case in Chofu-city, Tokyo

27 Mar Man-crow Coexistence Achieved by Garbage Ma Gement: a Case in Chofu-city, Tokyo

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Abstract

English Abstract

The common practice of disposing of food scraps in plastic bags left exposed at commu l garbage stations in Japanese cities has contributed to an increase in scavenger wildlife such as crows, resulting in garbage-littered streets. The drastic crow control measures instigated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Office have focused on the lethal trapping of crows, without planning any assessment of its effects on reducing garbage littering or crow’s dependence on food scraps. One of the satellite cities of Tokyo has attempted to reduce the amount of garbage by increasing the recycling rate and raising citizens’ awareness of their responsibility for garbage ma gement. This study evaluated the effects of this measure on the littering by crows and on the crow’s dependence on garbage in the streets. The rate of exposed garbage decreased after the measures were taken, and so did the littering. The crows continued to live in the city, but they ceased to be observed feeding on food scraps in the streets. The enclosure of garbage accompanied by garbage reduction seems to be effective in reducing the littering and crow’s dependence on food scraps to a level that allows coexistence of crows and man.