This is a serious question. From what we learnt from newspapers and social media, it is obvious that the population of wild pigs is growing rapidly.(野豬數目及出沒市區的次數上升) Complaints over pigs received by my District Councillor Office are competing with minibus complaints. The growth is unchecked due to a lack of natural predators. Some suggest that reduction in wild dogs means the piglets are safer. Others point out that there are fewer squatters. As the army and civilian hunting teams are no longer active, wild pigs also have high reproductive rates. Under favourable conditions, two litters can be weaned in a year.
My residents are losing patience as they are scared at night on their way home, and there are reports of road accidents between vehicles and pigs. Hong Kong is not alone. In many countries, wild pigs are considered a pest, rather than a sign of their quality of biodiversity.
Not everyone thinks so. Some go out and feed them, or take the kids to watch them. There are groups actively campaigning against culling them.
The AFCD(漁護署) has now started a pilot scheme “Capture, Contraceptive and Rehome/Release Programme”(野豬避孕試驗計劃) in the Southern District. After capture they will be injected with contraceptives and released in the country parks(放歸郊野公園).
AFCD is also conducting a survey to size up the pig populations. We also need to know what the carrying capacity is of each area. Next, the community needs to deliberate how to manage Hong Kong’s wild pigs.
In the meantime, we need to push FEHD(食環署) for urgent improvements to prevent wild pigs from accessing waste and food remains deposited at the thousands of bin sites and refuse collection points.(食環署需要改善垃圾站及垃圾筒的設計和管理，防止野豬覓食引起衛生問題)