A wild boar was spotted roaming in a Housing Board estate opposite YewTee Point mall yesterday.
In a video uploaded on Thursday afternoon to Facebook, the boar is seen sniffing around a grass patch in front of Block 562 in Choa Chu Kang.
A curious crowd is gathered around a grass patch to look at the boar as a policeman with a shield asks a man to move further away.
Seemingly unflustered by the attention, the wild boar continues walking around, before heading off to an adjacent grass patch.
The Straits Times understands that no injuries were reported and the boar soon left for a forested area near Choa Chu Kang Way.
The Animal Concerns Research & Education Society (Acres) said the lone boar had been spotted in Choa Chu Kang Street 51 over the past few weeks.
Acres deputy chief executive Kalai Vanan said: "Based on our observations, the boar seems very comfortable being near humans, which could possibly mean that the animal has been previously fed by humans."
He said Acres is looking at how to "peacefully resolve this where both the animal and residents benefit".
Motorists are encouraged to slow down and be more vigilant when passing by the area between 5am and 10am to avoid a road accident involving the boar, said Mr Kalai.
In addition, residents are advised not to approach, provoke, chase or feed the boar. Flash photography should also not be used on the boar, Mr Kalai added.
A string of wild boar incidents late last year had propelled the animals into the public spotlight.
Police shot a rampaging wild boar on a road in Punggol in November, after it was deemed a danger to people in the area. A month before, a man was injured after a wild boar charged at him outside a condominium in Hillview Avenue.
In September, a motorcyclist and his pillion rider were taken to hospital after a wild boar appeared suddenly on the Ayer Rajah Expressway after the Tuas Checkpoint.
In response to queries, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA), and Marsiling-Yew Tee Town Council said on Friday that they have received feedback on sightings of a wild boar in the vicinity of Choa Chu Kang Way and Choa Chu Kang North 6.
"It was observed to have gone back into nearby forested areas. We are monitoring the situation and are conducting surveillance at the location," the joint statement said.
The town council will also put up AVA's wild boar advisory around the estate.
AVA advised the public not to approach, disturb, feed or try to catch any wildlife.
With wild boars, the public should keep a safe distance from the animal and avoid confronting or cornering it. Do not interact with the animal, and ensure that young children and pets are kept away, as they may be curious and approach it, AVA added.
The public can refer to the advisory on wild boars on AVA's website and contact AVA on 1800 476 1600 to provide feedback or request for assistance.
Toh Ting Wei
