Editorial | Rethink required on culling of Hong Kong’s wild boars

The sighting of wild boars in Hong Kong’s urban areas has become more common in recent years, along with reports of disturbances and injuries to the public. The government response, to the dismay of animal lovers, has been to trap and kill them. Officials say, as a result, boar attacks have become less frequent over the past two years. But experts remain unconvinced and seek more humane alternatives.

On Saturday, an online video clip emerged showing a shopkeeper and a police officer trying to subdue a wild pig at the flower market in Mong Kok. The man charged the boar with a stick and grabbed it by its ears, while the officer hit the animal over the head with his baton and tried to cover it with a flower bucket. After more than two hours, the boar was finally captured with the use of anaesthetic by officials from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, and was “dispatched humanely” afterwards.

As it took place in a busy neighbourhood popular with locals and tourists, the latest drama has aroused wide public interest. It has also raised questions as to how it was handled. The department, after all, says those who encounter boars should refrain from approaching and disturbing them, and not throw objects or try to drive them away. Therefore it appears better education is needed to help people protect themselves and avoid aggravating confrontations with animals.

The Post has asked the government whether culling boars is the best option available. Officials have defended their decision on the grounds that wild pigs have attacked people and continue to be present in urban areas where they remain a risk to public safety. Be that as it may, such an approach could be seen by some as being too heavy-handed with attacks by boars in urban environments still relatively uncommon.

Officially, the numbers of black spots and nuisance reports are said to have been substantially reduced by the culling policy, which has claimed 670 wild pigs in operations. However, one must bear in mind that illegal feeding by the public has been cited as the reason wild animals have become more aggressive. With boars continuing to come into contact with the public, it is time for the city to reflect on its policy and actions.