SPCA Singapore issued an advisory statemnt on their Facebook page about the practice of mercy release of pigeons.
Here is what they said
VESAK DAY
THE DANGERS OF MERCY RELEASE
Every year, millions of captive animals are released into the wild on Vesak Day as a practice of “mercy release”. Each year, we remind the public of its dangers. While the activity is based on the tradition of compassion towards animals, it unfortunately causes more harm than good.
Illegal wildlife trade
When there is a demand, there is a business. The adverse effect of mercy releases is that it fuels the illegal wildlife trade, and many are often unaware that the majority of these animals were captured with the sole intention of being released. Wildlife trafficking is immensely problematic, with threats including but not limited to decimating species, climate change, and habitat destruction.
Invasive species destroy our ecosystem
Not only are places like temples, parks, reservoirs, and even #spcasingapore becoming a dumping ground, the act of releasing foreign species into the ecosystem causes significant harm to both animals and the environment. More often than not, captive animals released into the wild are unable to adapt to their new surrounding and will not survive. Released animals may also turn into invasive species that can become overpopulated, potentially creating a threat to biodiversity and/or causing habitat loss.
This Vesak Day, instead of participating in mercy release, consider showing compassion by going vegetarian for the day or by supporting animal welfare groups. Alternatively, you can always speak up for the voiceless by educating those around you about the dangers of mercy release.