Wild Boar Shot in Jukjeon-dong, Yongin... Appearances Continue in Downtown Seoul and Busan

Before Winter, Feeding Activity Intensifies Due to Overlapping Mating Season
Experts Advise "Quietly Backing Away and Hiding Behind Cover Is Best"

Wild boar spotted in Busan. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Junran] Two wild boars that appeared in the Jukjeon-dong area of Suji-gu on the 4th were shot dead. On the morning of the 3rd at around 9:30 AM, Yongin City received a report of a wild boar sighting at an elementary school in Jukjeon-dong and deployed 12 personnel, including public officials and members of the harmful wildlife damage prevention team, to conduct a search operation. Later, at around 12:20 PM on the 3rd, wild boars were spotted in Daejisan Park in Jukjeon-dong, but the boars fled toward National Road 43, resulting in a failed capture. At 1:36 PM, the city sent safety advisory text messages urging residents in the Jukjeon-dong area to refrain from going out. At 6:48 PM, the city sent messages to citizens warning that wild boars could appear throughout the city, preparing for safety incidents.

Subsequently, based on footprint analysis and other data, the city predicted the wild boars' movement path and launched an intensive search operation starting at 9:30 AM on the 4th. Eventually, at around 11:40 AM, two wild boars were found near the summit of Yongin Park Cemetery. The capture team stated that they used firearms to shoot the boars to ensure the safety of nearby residents. A city official said, "Between November and January, wild boars may come down to residential areas due to territorial disputes and food shortages, so caution is necessary." Earlier, on the 31st of last month, there was also a report of a wild boar sighting at an apartment in this area.

According to experts, with winter approaching and the mating season overlapping, wild boars’ feeding activity intensifies, increasing their aggression. As a result, sightings of wild boars have become frequent across the country recently.

On the 27th of last month, a report was received of four wild boar piglets appearing in Yeonji-dong, Busanjin-gu, Busan, prompting police to attempt capture. On the 13th, a wild boar appeared at Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul, leading to the cancellation of the Moonlight Tour event. On the 8th, there was an incident where a wild boar charged at a citizen on the Hongjecheon walking trail in Seoul.

Wild boars are thus frequently spotted in urban areas. According to the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters, from 2019 to November 2021 alone, there were a total of 1,730 wild boar sighting reports and dispatches in Seoul. Especially during the peak autumn foliage season, the likelihood of encountering wild boars on hiking trails is high, so extra caution is required.

Wild boars typically measure 113 to 150 cm in body length and can weigh up to 280 kg, making them hefty, but they are much more agile than humans. They can run at speeds of 40 to 50 km/h on flat ground and over 30 km/h in mountainous areas. Both males and females can charge people with their molars, and males with tusks can bite, causing continuous human injuries.

Experts advise that if you spot a wild boar from a distance, you should quietly leave the area. If you suddenly encounter a wild boar on a path, maintain eye contact with the boar while slowly backing away to hide behind cover. Moving quickly may be perceived as a threat and provoke an attack, and showing your back may signal fear, prompting the boar to charge.

The most important thing is not to provoke the wild boar first. Threatening behaviors such as throwing stones or swinging hiking sticks to chase the boar away should be avoided, as this may lead to an attack. If the wild boar is already agitated, playing dead on the spot is ineffective. It is best to find shelter behind a building pillar or other cover, or move to a tree or wall high enough to be out of the boar’s reach, and then call 119 (emergency services).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.