Measures to Mitigate Encounters with Wild Boars
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the measures taken to mitigate wild boar encounters and ensure public safety in Pasir Ris Punggol, as raised by Ms Sun Xueling. Minister Lawrence Wong stated that agencies are managing populations by removing oil palm food sources, enforcing against human feeding, and installing railings near roads. During land development, developers are advised to shepherd boars toward forested sites and hoard up areas near residential estates to prevent them from entering public spaces. Furthermore, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority and National Parks Board are enhancing public education to guide residents on appropriate actions during wildlife encounters. These collaborative efforts focus on monitoring hotspots and managing animal movements to maintain public safety in affected residential areas.
Transcript
26 Ms Sun Xueling asked the Minister for National Development whether AVA will be implementing measures to mitigate encounters with wild boars and ensure public safety in Pasir Ris Punggol where wild boars have been sighted in the past.
Mr Lawrence Wong: Government agencies have been working closely with stakeholders, including Animal Concerns Research and Education Society, the National University of Singapore, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, and nature groups on several fronts.
First, we will continue to monitor and manage the wild boar populations in their natural habitats. There are not that many wild boars in our nature reserves. But we have identified a few hotspots where the numbers are higher due to the availability of food. Agencies have been removing oil palms at these hotspots as palm fruit is a favoured food source of the boars. In areas where human feeding occurs, like Pasir Ris-Punggol, enforcement action will be taken. It is important for the public to stop this feeding because this changes the natural behaviour of the boars. Low railings will also be installed in places where these hotspots abut roads to discourage the boars from wandering beyond forested areas.
Second, we will manage the movement of wild boars when forested state land is cleared for development. The National Parks Board (NParks) will continue to advise agencies and developers to shepherd wild boars towards other contiguous forested sites and to hoard up areas that are near residential estates and roads. This will reduce the probability of wild boars escaping into public residential areas.
In addition, we will step up public education efforts on human-wildlife encounters. The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority and NParks are working on materials to educate residents on what to do when they encounter wild boars or other animals.
We will continue to work with stakeholders in residential areas to manage the wild boar issues and ensure public safety.