Groups of wild boar have been spotted wandering around Old Upper Thomson Road, sparking fear and amusement among residents in the area. -- PHOTO: COURTESY OF KELLY YEO
WILD boars - in groups numbering up to 10 at a time - are creating a buzz in a quiet neighbourhood off Old Upper Thomson Road.
At dusk, the boars trot out from the undergrowth of the Lower Peirce Reservoir area and crash through trees and bushes onto Old Upper Thomson Road.
They roam along the road in search of food, oblivious to the occasional car zipping past or the camera flashes from curious onlookers.
Though residents of the more than 24 terrace houses and bungalows in the area said the animals have not attacked anyone, they have caused near accidents when they dash out onto the road at night.
Their sudden, and more frequent, appearances over the last few months have sparked amusement, and in some cases, fear in the neighbourhood.
Some keep the lids on their trash bins sealed tight to make sure they are not opened while the animals look for scraps. Others keep a wide berth, afraid of being attacked.
But residents like Ms Sylvia Pang are just happy with the 'novelty' of having such neighbours.
'They're interesting...We just have to be a bit more cautious, although they don't seem to cause any harm,' she said.
Marketing executive Lin Tan, 26, even had friends come over to her home for a 'stakeout' after she spotted the animals.
'I was excited and just had to take pictures. Seeing this right outside my house made me realise I live in such an interesting area,' she told The Straits Times.
She once saw as many as six - a sow and her piglets - outside her home.
The boars are safe for now. The authorities have no intention of capturing them and neither the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) nor National Parks Board (NParks) has received any reports about the boars attacking anyone or being killed.
Wild boars are commonly found within the forested areas around Lim Chu Kang, Mandai and Old Upper Thomson Road, say NParks and AVA.
No census has ever been taken of the size of the population.
Mr Biswajit Guha, Singapore Zoo's associate director of zoology, said boars tend to be secretive creatures that avoid confrontation.
However, increased sightings of these animals in urban, densely populated areas may mean that their natural habitats are 'highly disturbed' when forests are cleared to make way for new developments.
'It could also mean their numbers have multiplied in recent years, causing them to move beyond the areas they occupy,' Mr Guha said.
Wild boars are foragers and usually eat roots, fallen fruit and small mammals.
Residents who see these animals should not feed them, as they could become conditioned to receiving food from people and so become more daring about coming out into the open.
Said Mr Guha: 'Enjoy the fact that you are so lucky to be near wildlife and that it comes to your doorstep. But it's important to keep a respectful distance. Not every wild animal has to be admired close up.'
Additional reporting by Alexis Cai
Protect those wild boars
Straits Times Forum 13 Feb 10;
I REFER to Monday's report, 'Wild boars hog the limelight in Thomson neighbourhood'.
It is gratifying to know of the existence of wildlife - particularly wild boars - near Lower Peirce Reservoir. Coexisting with animals of the wild and appreciation of nature can enrich our lives and bring immense joy and satisfaction to our world.
However, the report may also attract trappers to capture the animals for their meat. The incident last year is still fresh on our minds, when metal traps were used in Lim Chu Kang in a bid to trap wild boars. A dog was trapped instead and lost its hind leg in the process.
I hope the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority and the National Parks Board will work closely to ensure that similar incidents are not repeated at Thomson.
Bennie Cheok