In recent days, local residents in Lianhua (means lotus in Chinese) Mountain in Chang'an Township of Dongguan, are surprised to find the reappearance of wild boars, an animal which had been thought to be extinct in the region for decades.
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Wild boars, an animal which had been thought to be extinct in Lianhua Mountain for decades, have reappeared in the region in recent days. |
"Sightings of boars that are about 100 kilos, followed by some smaller ones which are as small as 10 kilos," Mr. Ci Diyun, a ranger of Lianhua Mountain, told reporters.
According to him, wild boars are usually seen at nightfall. Once he came across an adult boar followed by 12 piglets during his work. He tried to catch one of them, but gave up when the adult boar was angered by his behavior.
Mr. Ci said he was not aware of the existence of wild boars until this April. "At first, there were several of them, and then in May the number surged to about 50," he said. Mr. Ci has been a ranger in Lianhua Mountain since the year of 2008.
Mr. He, a monk of a Buddhist temple inside Lianhua Mountain, said he had also seen these boars and has even fed them occasionally. "They are peaceful, and will not attack people unless they are attacked."
Mr. He said he is very worried about the future of these boars as there are signs that they are being hunted. "A few days ago I saw a boar walking with a limp. I guessed it had been attacked by people."
Mr. Ci said he had several times stopped people hunting these boars. "I hope the government can pay attention to this problem, since the number of rangers is far from enough to protect these animals," he said.
Lianhua Mountain is inside Dalingshan Forest Park which covers an area of 74 sq. kilometers in Southwest of Dongguan. The region's wild boars are close to extinction due to rapid urbanization and the massive population growth in Dongguan in the past decades, according to Chang'an Forest Department. "But boars seem to have returned to the region after years of being fenced off for reforestation," an official from the Department said.
The official also noted the legal consequences of hunting boars since they are among the wild animal list being protected by state law.
(By Morvin Chow)
