Malaysia: Hunting party to kill menacing wild boars

Hamdan Raja Abdullah The Star 29 Feb 12;

MUAR: Villagers in Air Hitam here have decided to launch a hunting party to shoot wild boars responsible for four deaths, damaging crops and for eating their chickens.

Air Hitam penghulu Ariffpuddin Abdul Latif said four villagers had been killed since last year when the wild boars smashed into their motorcycles or bicycles at night.

He said two of the deaths occurred along the Muar – Air Hitam road while the other two, took place along plantation roads between Kampung Seri Sempadan and Kampung Parit Haji Anuar.

“There are at least 200 wild boars roaming in the plantations of these villages and they also forage for food near the houses.

“Since they have caused fear, we decided to organise a hunting party to shoot them,” he said after presenting some RM2,400 worth of shells to Muar Shooting Club president Sia Tiong Ming recently.

Ariffpuddin said the shells were donated by Bukit Naning assemblyman Datuk Abdullah Ali, who had asked the club and the Wildlife Department for help.

He said the club had decided to send some 80 members along with hunting dogs and they had teamed up with Wildlife Department officers to enter the villages on Sunday.

He said before the hunt took off, villagers in five areas in Air Hitam were advised not to enter their plots to avoid any unwanted incidents.

He said the hunters entered the plots at 8am and by 3pm, they had managed to shoot 18 wild boars, adding that, the hunt would continue until the villages were free from wild boar menace.

Meanwhile, Sia said many areas in the district now had wild boars and advised the residents to be on the alert when entering areas with thick undergrowth.

“We may not be able to shoot all the wild boars here but we can at least reduce their number,” he added.

Wild boar attacks two
Farik Zolkepli The Star 1 Mar 12;

KUALA TERENGGANU: Two orang asli women searching for herbs and firewood in Kampung Sungai Berua, Hulu Terengganu, were injured after being attacked by a 70kg wild boar.

Dajang, 62, was bitten on her arms and legs while her daughter Sallek Bakar, in her 30s, had injuries all over her body.

Both women have been warded at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital.

Sallek’s sister was unharmed during the savage attack at 10am yesterday.

Dajang said they would often go to the jungle some 5km away from Kampung Sungai Berua to look for firewood.

“I was collecting wood when I saw the wild boar walking in front of us. We didn’t have time to flee as it came charging at us.

“The animal bit me on my arms and legs before attacking my daughter,” she said, adding that Sallek had tried to beat the boar off with a stick but this only sent it into a frenzy.

Dajang said she started shouting for help when the wild boar set upon Sallek. However, no one came.

The boar ran off after attacking the women.

“We managed to make our way to the village and seek help. This is the first time we have been attacked like this. I am still shocked,” she said.

A fellow villager who declined to be named said wild boars were a common sight in the jungle.

Rangers on the hunt for rogue wild boar
The Star 2 Mar 12;

KUALA TERENGGANU: The hunt is on for the wild boar that attacked two orang asli women in the jungle near Kampung Sungai Berua, Hulu Terengganu.

The Terengganu Wildlife and National Parks Department has dispatched four rangers, led by its Hulu Terengganu chief Wan Harmizi Wan Jusoh, to catch the animal which has been described as dangerous.

Department director Yusoff Shariff said it was the first time that such attacks had occurred in the area.

“We believe the two women had ventured near the animal's lair.

“It is extremely dangerous and we hope people will not venture into the jungle near the village until we catch the animal,” he said yesterday.

“The department has cordoned off the area. We will hunt down the animal and put it down as soon as possible,” he said.

The two women Sallek Bakar, in her 30s, and her mother Dajang, 62 were reportedly searching for herbs and firewood when they were attacked by the wild boar, said to weigh around 70kg, on Wednesday.

Dajang was bitten on her arms and legs while her daughter had injuries all over her body.

Both women have been warded at Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital.