Is Hong Kong’s wild boar policy working? Authorities killed 1 every day this year, experts warn of ‘cruel and ineffective’ measures
- Insignificant decrease in nuisance reports and sightings of animal shows current policy fails to control wild boar population, experts say
- Authorities euthanised 135 wild boars between January 5 and May 17 this year
But experts have warned that sightings of the animal and nuisance reports in urban areas have not reduced significantly, saying the findings indicate that the current policy to control the wild boar population is ineffective and cruel.
“[The number of killings] is absolutely ridiculous and damaging to Hong Kong’s image,” said Roni Wong Ho-yin, a representative of the Hong Kong Wild Boar Concern Group.
“The nuisance reports have not significantly decreased, this means that killing wild boars is not working.”
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department began euthanising the wild pigs in November 2021 after a spike in the number of boars attacking humans and entering urban areas. The policy replaced the government’s previous tactic of capturing, sterilising and relocating the animals.
Between January 5 and May 17, the department euthanised 135 wild boars, or one per day on average.
In 2022, authorities reported an average of 94 sightings and nuisance reports per month. From January to April this year, there have been 359, an average of 91 every month.
