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SINGAPORE – Feeding the wild boars came at a high price for 19 people who faced penalties under stricter laws.
Eight of these people, ages 20 to 51, were charged in court on Wednesday (January 13) with feeding the native mammals in Lorong Halus.
Four of them pleaded guilty and each received a $ 2,500 fine. Two cases were postponed until February 3, and the remaining two intend to plead guilty on February 24.
First-time offenders can be fined up to $ 5,000 and repeat offenders face fines of no more than $ 10,000 under the Wildlife Act.
The other 11 people will be charged for the next two weeks, the National Parks Board (NParks) said.
This is the first time it has taken so many people to court, after stricter regulations went into effect on June 1 last year to deter the public from feeding wildlife.
NParks staff surprised the 19 people by giving bread or dog food to the wild boars during inspection rounds between November 26 and December 7.
This occurred a few kilometers from Sungei Api Api Park, where a woman was injured by a wild boar while walking home on November 17. The incident left her with lacerations to her left leg and face.
Feeding and irresponsible food disposal likely habituated wild boars, which can weigh up to 100 kg, to associating humans with food, NParks said.
This increases the likelihood that they will search for humans and may lead them to venture into urban areas such as highways, he added.
When The Straits Times visited Lorong Halus Park on Tuesday, around 10 wild boars were seen approaching passing motorists.
While NParks has managed wild boar populations through means such as removing oil palms, which wild boars have a preference for, the animals can still pose a danger to the safety of the public.
If wild animals become aggressive from constant feeding, they may need to be euthanized for public safety, NParks said.
Since June, it has identified several feeding hotspots and taken action against 62 people for feeding wildlife, and more than 20 have been taken to court for feeding wild boars, birds and monkeys.
Among them is a man who fed wild hornbills at Loyang Way Food Village for about six months. You were issued a composition notice for $ 200.
NParks is also investigating a man for feeding more than 10 wild hornbills in a condo.
More reach
Outreach and education efforts to raise awareness about the harm caused by eating will also be intensified, the statutory board added.
Among these plans is a partnership with the National Environment Agency and the Singapore Food Agency to reduce sources of food for wildlife in food establishments such as street vending centers and cafeterias.
Another plan will see three young people, mentored by NParks, studying the public perception of wildlife feeding to develop initiatives that encourage human wildlife coexistence by the third quarter of this year.
NParks reminded members of the public that if they come across a wild boar, they should remain as calm as possible and move slowly away from the animal. They should be kept at a safe distance and not corner or provoke the animal.
If they come across adult wild boars with piglets, they should keep their distance and leave the animals alone, as adult wild boars are potentially aggressive and may attempt to defend their young.
Members of the public can call the Animal Response Center at 1800-476-1600 to report any wild boar encounters.
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