A massive wild boar was found dead along Lorong Halus, yesterday afternoon. A commuter who was driving along the road took photos of the huge carcass that was left lying next to a row of road barriers.
The commuter, Louis, reported to online journalism portal: “I was passing through Lorong Halus when I noticed four legs sticking out by the roadside. Upon nearing the ‘object’, it turned out to be a huge wild boar that had possibly been knocked down and died at the roadside.”
Louis added: “The boar was huge. I estimate it was at least 100kg since it is was an adult wild boar.”
The National Parks Board (NParks), a Government statutory board, attributes the increased sightings of wild boars – which are native to Singapore – to “their quick reproduction rates, presence of ideal foraging habitats and the lack of natural predators which have all contributed to their population growth. These days they are increasingly spotted all over the island.”
Although the omnivorous creatures mainly feed on plants and seeds, skirmishes between wild boars and humans, such as road accidents and boar attacks, have been on the rise in recent months.
Environmental experts believe that the rise in human-boar conflicts could be due to rapid deforestation and increased development of forested areas that push the creatures out of their natural habitats.
NParks advises those who encounter wild boars to calmly walk away and avoid using flash photography as it may startle or threaten the animal, causing it to attack. NParks also reminds Singapore residents to refrain from feeding boars since it is unlawful to feed wild animals.