Seoul, Wild Boar Sightings Surge... "Quietly Take Cover Behind Trees"

After a decline over the past three years, an increasing trend resumes this year
Most cases in Eunpyeong-gu, Gangbuk-gu, Jongno-gu, Dobong-gu in order

This year, the appearance of wild boars in Seoul has sharply increased.

According to the Seoul Fire & Disaster Headquarters on the 19th, the number of wild boar safety dispatches reached 499 cases by September this year. This is more than double the 237 cases recorded during the same period last year.

In fact, on July 6th around 8:30 PM, three wild boars appeared in a residential area near Bulgwang Station in Eunpyeong-gu, causing citizens to evacuate in a commotion. One was shot, another was confirmed dead after being hit by a car near Bulgwang Station, and the remaining one is presumed to have returned to the mountains.

Over the past three years, the number of wild boar appearances requiring fire department safety dispatches has been decreasing: 576 cases in 2020, 442 cases in 2021, and 379 cases in 2022. However, this year the number of dispatches has increased again.

Among the 25 autonomous districts of Seoul, Eunpyeong-gu had the highest number with 231 cases, followed by Gangbuk-gu with 211 cases, Jongno-gu with 194 cases, and Dobong-gu with 161 cases.

A representative from the Fire & Disaster Headquarters explained that the frequency of wild boars appearing in downtown Seoul had decreased but has risen again because "2 to 3 years ago, African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks led to many wild boars being captured or culled," and "currently, wild boar management has been relaxed, leading to an increase in their population."

In particular, wild boars’ activity increases from October, when the breeding season begins, through December as winter approaches, making their appearance in urban areas more likely.

If you encounter a wild boar, do not shout or make threatening gestures, and do not run away with your back turned. It is best to find cover behind nearby trees, rocks, or other objects to protect yourself.

If you report a wild boar sighting to the Fire & Disaster Headquarters, the 119 rescue team will be dispatched to take safety measures, and if necessary, they will coordinate with the wild boar rapid safety response teams operated by the autonomous districts and the police. Hyun Jin-su, head of the Disaster Response Division at the Seoul Fire & Disaster Headquarters, urged, "Please familiarize yourself with safety rules in case you encounter a wild boar while hiking or walking."

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