Most evenings wild boar can be seen near the Caltex petrol station on the Clearwater Bay Road. Many people are concerned for the welfare of these pigs.
Why are they there? Because people are regularly feeding them. Feral pigs do not need human food and by feeding them it encourages the pigs to seek food from humans, to attack refuse bins, raid gardens and to cause nuisance This may lead to complaints and possibly to culling of the pigs by the AFCD shooting team.
The feeding spot in Clearwater Bay is close to the main road, which puts the pigs in danger and may cause a traffic accident. In several cases the tame boar have become easy targets for villagers who set illegal traps to catch them for food. The feeders have been warned by AFCD and the Police not to feed these pigs, but sadly they persist.
There is a similar situation with the feral cows of Sai Kung. Some people think they are too thin and should look like beef or dairy cattle. This is completely wrong. The cows in Sai Kung are naturally a little thinner in winter and fatten up again in spring when new grass begins sprouting. In winter when the grass is sparse they seek alternative food by eating other plants and leaves from trees.
Feeding of the cattle leads them to become dependent on people. They start to raid bbq sites and camping grounds as well as rubbish bins. Often they swallow food in plastic bags, which could lead to death.
Wild animals are exactly that – “wild”; do not treat them like domestic pets or they will no longer be able to survive in the wild.
Thanks Carol, this is absolutely true. Leave wild animals alone and let them be wild.