Channel NewsAsia 19 Oct 17;
SINGAPORE: A man in his forties was injured and taken to hospital after being attacked by a wild boar near a bus stop at Hillview Road on Thursday morning (Oct 19).
Sales specialist Olga, 30, told Channel NewsAsia that she was walking to the MRT station with her husband at around 8.30am when she saw the attack.
"I saw an animal - I thought it was just a big dog with owner - but in two to three seconds, (the) animal start(ed) to attack the man and he fell down and scream(ed), he was really in pain," she said.
She rushed over to help with her husband, and was joined by another man, who took a bamboo cane from his car and started to hit the boar. "It worked, and (the) boar made his escape down to the road," Ms Olga said.
The boar was then hit by a bus, she added. Channel NewsAsia understands the boar has died.
Another man then stopped his car and brought a first aid kit, which he and Olga's husband used to start bandaging the man's wounds.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to an incident outside 25, Hillview Avenue at 8.43am and dispatched an ambulance. The man had "cuts and lacerations" on both his legs, said SCDF, adding that the victim was taken conscious to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital.
IT consultant Dan Ranjith, 33, was on his way to work at 8.50am when he noticed the commotion on the other side of the road. "I was walking on the streets and noticed that the boar was lying down and surrounded by police," he told Channel NewsAsia.
"When I saw the boar (it) was still alive and moving," he added.
Photos circulating online showed the boar lying on its side on the pavement next to a bus stop. At least two police cars were at the scene and the area was cordoned off with police tape.
The boar appeared to still be on the pavement nearly two hours after the attack, with lawyer Maurice Oon, 54, telling Channel NewsAsia that he was in a taxi when he saw the "big, dead wild boar lying on the pavement" at around 10.15am.
Member of Parliament for Chua Chu Kang GRC (Bukit Gombak) and Mayor of South West District Low Yen Ling said in a Facebook post that the injured man was receiving "the medical care that he needs" in hospital.
She added that she has been in touch with the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA), Land Transport Authority and the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society to ensure that "follow-up procedures are in place" regarding the boar and the safety of members of the public.
"Should you encounter any wild boars, please be advised to not approach or provoke the animal," she added.
WILD BOAR SIGHTINGS IN THE AREA NOT COMMON: AVA
The AVA said in a statement that wild boar sightings in the area are not common and the animal likely emerged from nearby forested areas.
The authority will be putting up signs and will educate residents on what to do when they encounter wild boars.
"AVA is monitoring the situation and is working with relevant agencies to put up signage," it said. "AVA is also working with the community to create awareness and educate residents on what to do when they encounter wild boars."
It is also working with various agencies, such as the National Parks Board and Wildlife Reserves Singapore, to implement measures to "mitigate encounters with wild boars and ensure public safety".
Some possible measures AVA is exploring include putting up signs about wildlife crossings at specific locations to warn motorists, and erecting barriers to prevent wildlife from encroaching onto roads.
This comes after a series of incidents involving wild boars in Singapore.
Two people were injured in September after a wild boar at the Ayer Rajah Expressway caused an accident. One day later, three others were injured in a car accident involving a wild boar at Lentor Avenue.
A woman was also attacked by a wild boar in July this year, and needed 60 stitches for a wound in her right leg after the incident at a park in the Upper Thomson area.
A large group of boars was also spotted near Tuas bus terminal earlier this year.
The AVA said it would like to remind members of the public not to approach, disturb or try to catch wild boars.
"The public should keep a safe distance from the wild boars and avoid confronting or cornering them. Do not interact with the wild boars and keep young children and pets away from them," the authority said.
Source: CNA/nc
Boar attack victim had 'deep' 10cm cut on left thigh: Eyewitness
Aqil Haziq Mahmud Channel NewsAsia 19 Oct 17;
SINGAPORE: The man caught in a wild boar attack on Thursday (Oct 19) morning had suffered a deep cut, said a security officer who helped the victim.
"When we arrived, the victim was already lying on the grass patch," Mr Faizal Idroos, 34, told Channel NewsAsia. "There was a roughly 10cm laceration on his left upper thigh. It looked quite bad and quite deep."
The Singapore Civil Defence Force said the victim was sent to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital with "cuts and lacerations" on both legs.
Mr Faizal, who has been working as a security officer at Glendale Park condominium for less than a month, said the victim was still "calm and conscious".
"He was able to wriggle his toes, so I don’t think there were any arteries cut," he added. "But it was a deep cut."
Mr Faizal said the victim was lying near a SingPost mailbox a few metres away from the condo's main entrance on Hillview Avenue, while the wild boar was found at a bus stop around the corner on Hillview Road.
"There were four of us and a few passers-by (at the scene). Two of them were doctors and they were putting on bandages," he said. "After we settled this, I moved to cordon off the wild boar site."
Ms Julia Nagler, 36, was heading to the kindergarten with her two-year-old son in a stroller when she saw the wild boar still moving while lying on the ground.
"I was really very scared," said the homemaker. She said that her concern was intensified because she was with her young child, and they were just a few metres from the animal.
Ms Nagler, who is from Germany and has been living at nearby Hillview Peak for five months, said she immediately carried her son out of the stroller and crossed the road.
"I’m not sure if that would be the correct thing to do – to walk very fast," she added with a nervous laugh. "From what I read, the boar was walking uncontrollably, so I don’t know if it was hit by a car before."
While Ms Nagler said she has never seen wild boars in the area, she wants the authorities to do something about it.
"I don’t know why they are so close to residential areas, but I think that’s just an accident that sometimes happens," she said.
Residents that Channel NewsAsia spoke to similarly said they have not seen wild boars in their years of living in the area, but are nonetheless concerned about potential attacks.
Engineer Clara Ong, who has lived on Hillview Avenue for 14 years, said she saw the wild boar in the morning when it was already dead.
The 27-year-old is especially worried because she takes walks at night. "It will be very dangerous if I see the wild boars," she added.
Homemaker Yeji Kim, 33, from South Korea said she is afraid that the animals might attack when she picks her young son up from a nearby school.
However, other residents did not seem too troubled by the attack, calling it a one-off incident.
"It’s a very exceptional case; I believe the boar must have got lost," said accounts manager Ms Ellen, who only wanted to be known by her first name.
The 60-year-old, who has lived at Hillview Heights for two decades, added that it is "not a worrying thing" as she knows what to do during wild boar encounters. "Just try not to aggravate it and move away."
Ms Jade Leong, who has been a resident of Glendale Park for five years, said she is not too worried because "as long as you don’t attack them, it should be okay".
The 37-year-old said she seldom walks along the road where the attack occurred, and is "curious as to how the animal got out".
THICK BUSH BEHIND GLENDALE PARK
Mr Faizal suggested that the wild boars could have come from the jungles in the lush Ministry of Defence compound on Hillview Avenue.
Channel NewsAsia also discovered a roughly 200m stretch of bush behind Glendale Park, which seemed to be the home for some wildlife, including monitor lizards.
Meanwhile, Mr Faizal said he does not think condo management will take steps to warn residents of wild boar sightings yet.
"For now, I don’t think they have because it might be the first time that this has happened," he added. "These animals have been deprived of their habitats, so they might just come out for food."
Source: CNA/hz
Man suffers cuts to legs after wild boar attack near Hillview condominium
FARIS MOKHTAR Today Online 19 Oct 17;
SINGAPORE — A 44-year-old man was attacked by a wild boar near a condominium at Hillview Avenue, and landed in hospital with cuts and lacerations on both his legs.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the incident on Thursday (Oct 19) at 8.43am and dispatched an ambulance. The man, who was conscious, was taken to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital.
TODAY understands that he is a resident at Hillview Park condominium.
Residents TODAY spoke to expressed shock that the incident took place considering that wild boar sightings in the neighbourhood are very rare, with some saying that the wild boar could have wandered out of Dairy Farm Nature Park.
Security guard Faizal Idroos said he had just reached his workplace at Glendale Park condominium — beside Hillview Park condominium — at about 8am when he heard a commotion near the estate’s entrance. He saw a man – dressed casually in shirt and jeans – lying on the pavement and clutching his thighs.
He added that four passers-by already attending to the man, including a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) medical doctor as he was making his way to the Ministry of Defence, located just a few minutes away from the condominium. Two police cars arrived at the scene shortly after.
“The man had deep laceration on his left upper thigh but he was calm and conscious. The doctor helped to bandage his thigh,” said Mr Faizal, who has been working at the condominium for less than a month.
Mr Faizal said other passers-by who also attended to the man told him that the wild boar later fled and was hit by a bus. He added that the animal had died, possibly of internal injuries, and its carcass was removed by the National Environment Agency.
Resident Jackie Li was making her way to Hillview MRT station when she saw the injured man. As she turned a corner, she witnessed police officers trying to cordon the area where the wild boar’s carcass was at.
“I heard that it came out suddenly from nowhere and attacked the man. This is the first time I saw a wild boar in my neighbourhood,” said the 32-year-old financial planner.
When contacted, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) said wild boar sightings in that area are not common, and the animal likely came from nearby forested areas.
The AVA's spokesman added: "AVA is currently working closely with relevant stakeholders including NParks, ACRES, Wildlife Reserves Singapore and NUS, to mitigate encounters with wild boars and ensure public safety. Some possible measures that we are exploring, and intend to implement as soon as possible, include putting up signages about wildlife crossings at specific locations to warn motorists, and erecting barriers to prevent wildlife from encroaching onto roads."
Following the incident, South West District Mayor and Member of Parliament (Chua Chu Kang) Low Yen Ling wrote on her Facebook page that she has been in touch with the AVA, Land Transport Authority and ACRES: Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Singapore).
“(This is) to ensure that follow up procedures are in place with regards to the animal and also the safety of residents and pedestrians in that area,” she said.
She also advised the public against approaching or provoking the wild boars if they encounter them.
Just this year alone, there has been several instances of wild boars being sighted in populated areas.
On June 30, a 55-year-old woman was walking her dog in the Upper Thomson area when she was attacked. She needed about 60 stitches for a wound on her right calf.
Earlier that month, a video circulating online showed a herd of wild boars milling around a bus interchange in Tuas.
While residents in the Hillview area expressed surprise on hearing such an attack took place, most of them were unfazed by it, describing the incident as an isolated case since they have never encountered any wild boars in the neighbourhood.
Glendale Park is located opposite HillV2 shopping mall and about three minutes away from Hillview MRT station. Most of the buildings around the area are condominiums and the nearest forested area is Dairy Farm Nature Park.
Mr Shentley Tan, who lives in nearby Hillview Heights condominium, said that the attack is not much of a concern, unless more of such animals start to appear in the neighbourhood.
“It’s easy to over-react, and some would call for more of such animals to be culled and so on. But I think it’s just a one-off incident,” said the 52-year-old, who has been living in his condominium since 1998.
IT consultant Ranjith Kumar, 33, who also saw the wild boar’s carcass, added: “I am not really concerned about it. But I might be more careful when I bring kids out for a walk in the area.”
The AVA advises the public not to approach, disturb or try to catch wild boars. The spokesman said: "The public should keep a safe distance from the wild boars and avoid confronting or cornering them. Do not interact with the wild boars and keep young children and pets away from them."
Man injured in wild boar attack outside Hillview condominium
Lee Min Kok Straits Times 19 Oct 17;
SINGAPORE - A 44-year-old man was injured when a wild boar attacked him outside a condominium at Hillview Avenue on Thursday (Oct 19) morning.
He suffered cuts and lacerations on both legs. The Straits Times understands that the man was walking towards Hillview MRT station when he spotted the animal approaching him.
As he tried to run, he lost his balance and fell. The wild boar subsequently charged at him.
The wild boar was then hit by a passing bus as it tried to escape, and suffered injuries. It later died.
A Singapore Civil Defence Force spokesman said it was alerted to the incident outside 25 Hillview Avenue at 8.43am.
The man was taken conscious to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital.
Photos posted on social media showed the wild boar lying on the ground. Republic Polytechnic student Agnes Chan, 19, who witnessed the aftermath of the attack, said she spotted the animal near the condominium bus stop.
"There were medics surrounding the injured man and police officers cordoned off the bus stop," she told The Straits Times.
"I had to alight from the bus just before the bus stop to walk to the MRT station."
Hillview resident Anita Srinivasan, 38, said she was shocked to hear about the wild boar attack.
“It’s a residential area, so I thought it was very strange that there was an attack. If it’s at Mindef or nearer to a park, we would expect it more, but not in a residential area, where it’s supposed to be safe," the auditor added.
“I’m worried for my kids, especially in the early morning when they go to school, and late at night when they come home. The lights at our walkway is always dim, so it’s hard to see animals.”
While retiree Mr Khoo, 70, agreed that the attack came as a surprise to many, he is not worried about further attacks.
"I drive up to the nature reserve a lot so I always see the wild boars in groups. I don’t disturb them, so they don’t disturb me either," said Mr Khoo, who lives in Glendale Park condominium.
“Probably they’re also forced under circumstances to look for food outside, like when their habitat gets removed. Most wild animals are like that.”
The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) said in a Facebook post on Thursday evening that it was aware of this morning’s wild boar incident at Hillview Avenue.
"We are monitoring the situation and working with relevant agencies to put up signages," it said. "We are also working with the community to create awareness and educate residents on what to do when they encounter wild boars."
Chua Chu Kang GRC (Bukit Gombak) MP Low Yen Ling wrote on Facebook about the incident, saying she has been in touch with AVA, LTA and Acres to ensure that follow-up procedures are in place with regard to the animal and also the safety of residents and pedestrians in that area.
While wild boar sightings are quite common in Singapore, attacks are relatively rare.
The last reported attack occurred on June 30, when a woman who was walking her dog near Windsor Nature Park was gored in the leg by a wild boar.
She received 60 stitches for her 10cm-long wound.
Wild boar sightings: Where are they found in Singapore
Last month, there were two road accidents involving wild boars in two days, which resulted in five people being taken to hospital.
Should members of the public encounter a wild boar, they are advised to:
- Be calm and move slowly away from the animal. Do not approach or attempt to feed the animal.
- Keep a safe distance and do not corner or provoke the animal such as by using a flash while taking pictures of it.
- If you see adults with young piglets, leave them alone. These are potentially more dangerous because they may attempt to defend their young.
Additional reporting from Raffaella Nathan Charles
Surveillance cameras installed after wild boar incidents
Jan Lee The New Paper 24 Oct 17;
Following a spate of wild boar-related incidents, authorities have stepped up efforts to monitor the behaviour and movements of such wild animals.
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) confirmed that surveillance cameras were installed yesterday in two locations - the forested area behind HillV2 shopping mall and near Hillview Rise.
AVA said these cameras will be deployed temporarily where necessary.
INCIDENTS
This comes after a string of incidents involving wild boars, the latest being last Thursday when a man suffered cuts and lacerations following an encounter at Hillview Avenue.
Last month, five people were taken to hospital after two accidents where vehicles collided with wild boars - on the Ayer Rajah Expressway near the Tuas checkpoint and in Lentor Avenue, respectively.
The AVA is working with National Parks Board, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) and the National University of Singapore to mitigate encounters with wild boars and ensure public safety.
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Monkeys and macaques have also come into contact with the public, with reports of the animals even entering residences.
Acres advises the public to refrain from feeding, approaching or taking flash photography of wildlife animals when they encounter them.
CCTV cameras set up at Hillview to monitor wild boar situation following attack
Samantha Boh Straits Times 23 Oct 17;
SINGAPORE - Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras have been installed in Hillview to monitor the wild boars situation there, following an attack which left a man injured.
The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) said on Monday (Oct 23) that the cameras have been installed temporarily at a forested area behind HillV2 shopping mall and close to Hillview Rise, which are areas where wild boars may emerge from.
"The footage from the cameras will help us better understand the presence or movement of any wild boars in the area. Should wild boars be sighted, AVA will assess the situation and take the necessary mitigation measures," an AVA spokesman said.
She added that the AVA intends to put up signage about wildlife crossings at specific locations to warn motorists to watch out for wild animals, and erect barriers to prevent animals from encroaching onto roads.
It is working closely with the National Parks Board, wildlife rescue group Acres (Animal Concerns Research & Education Society), Wildlife Reserves Singapore and the National University of Singapore to implement these mitigation measures.
Last Thursday, a 44-year-old man, identified only as Mr Jin, suffered cuts and lacerations on both legs after he was attacked by a wild boar outside a condominium at 25 Hillview Avenue.
He was walking towards Hillview MRT station when he spotted the animal approaching him. As he tried to run, he lost his balance and fell, which was when the wild boar charged at him. The animal was later hit by a passing bus and died.
The AVA said it will be educating residents living in Hillview on what to do when they encounter wild boars.
Members of the public who encounter a wild boar are advised to:
- Keep a safe distance from the wild boars and avoid confronting or cornering them.
- Not to approach, disturb or try to catch wild boars.
- Not to interact with the wild boars and to keep young children and pets away from them.
'So unexpected I couldn't even panic': Wild boar victim
RAFFAELLA NATHAN CHARLES, THE STRAITS TIMES The New Paper 26 Oct 17;
The 44-year-old man attacked by a wild boar in Bukit Gombak last Thursday is set to be discharged from hospital tomorrow after doctors have ensured that his wounds are not at risk of being infected.
Mr Michael Jin suffered cuts and lacerations on both legs.
His condition has been stable after undergoing leg surgery on Monday and he is grateful for the public's help during the incident, he told The Straits Times yesterday.
The attack happened at the walkway outside Glendale Park Condominium at Hillview Avenue.
Mr Jin, who works as a patent lawyer, had just returned from a work trip in Germany.
His wife, 42-year-old housewife Salina Wang, said he was on his way home after taking his five-year-old daughter to kindergarten when he saw the boar charging towards him.
Said Mr Jin: "It was so unexpected that I couldn't even panic. I ran a few metres before it knocked me down and bit my leg."
A passer-by used a stick to chase the animal away and another man stopped his car to help bandage his wounds.
"I was so grateful that people were so helpful," Mr Jin said.
Ms Wang heard the news from a neighbour and rushed to the scene, according to a Lianhe Zaobao report yesterday.
"My husband took my hand and told me: 'Don't worry, it has already happened.' He gave me power to stay calm that day," she told The Straits Times.
When the animal tried to escape, it was hit by a passing bus and died.
Mr Jin was taken to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital. His daughter and 12-year-old son kept him company on his first day in the hospital.
Chua Chu Kang GRC MP Low Yen Ling visited Mr Jin on Tuesday. Ms Wang said she was grateful to Ms Low for checking in on the couple daily since the incident and for calming her down when her husband was admitted.
On Monday, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore said that closed-circuit television cameras have been installed temporarily at a forested area behind HillV2 shopping mall and close to Hillview Rise to monitor the wild boar situation.
