Boy 'chased and injured by wild boar' in Punggol

He was taken to hospital but has returned home; AVA conducting control operations

A wild boar was spotted in Edgefield Plains on Sunday. Those who encounter wild boars should stay calm and not approach them, says AVA.
A wild boar was spotted in Edgefield Plains on Sunday. Those who encounter wild boars should stay calm and not approach them, says AVA. PHOTO: STOMP

A boy was taken to hospital after a wild boar apparently chased and injured him in Punggol on Sunday.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force said it was alerted to an incident at Block 184, Edgefield Plains, at about 2.15pm and dispatched an ambulance.

The boy, whose age is not known, was taken to KK Women's and Children's Hospital, although it was not clear what injuries he suffered.

When approached at his flat on Monday, the boy's father would only say that the child had returned home and was feeling better, The New Paper reported yesterday.

A Facebook post by user Joanne Wan on Sunday night claimed that a wild boar about 1m in length had been spotted at the same block.

  • What to do if you come across a wild boar

  • The wild boar is a Singapore native which can weigh up to 100kg and has a lifespan of over 20 years.

    The animal's quick reproduction rates, presence of ideal foraging habitats and lack of natural predators have contributed to its population growth, and the animals are increasingly spotted all over the island, said the National Parks Board (NParks).

    Like many wild animals, wild boars will attack only if they are cornered or feel threatened.

    If you come across one, be calm and move slowly away from the animal. Do not approach or attempt to feed it, said NParks.

    Keep a safe distance and do not corner or provoke the animal, for example, by using flash while taking pictures of it.

    If you see adults with young piglets, leave them alone. They are potentially more dangerous because they may attempt to defend their young.

It was last seen running near Meridian LRT station, she added.

A wild boar was also sighted nearby by a contributor to citizen journalism website Stomp at about 3.30pm on the same day.

She said the animal had dashed in front of a lorry she was in, near Block 106B.

Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said it had received feedback on wild boar sightings in the Punggol area and was conducting control operations.

"Members of the public who encounter wild boars should stay calm and not approach them," said a spokesman.

The presence of wild boars in the area is not new. Last year, residents of Edgefield Plains also complained to the AVA about wild boars.

In 2014, about 80 wild boars in the Lower Peirce area were culled, reducing the population there to about 30 to 50 boars.

The National Parks Board (NParks) said it started culling the animals there in 2012 to improve public safety and reduce the danger that the animals might cause to the vegetation.

A recent joint advisory by the AVA, NParks and Wildlife Reserves Singapore said the wild boar is native to Singapore. It can weigh up to 100kg and has a lifespan of over 20 years.

"Although they appear shy, they are still wild animals and are unpredictable in behaviour, which could pose a risk to public safety," the advisory warned. "Like many other wild animals, wild boars will attack only if they are cornered or if they feel threatened."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 01, 2016, with the headline Boy 'chased and injured by wild boar' in Punggol. Subscribe