'Rampaging' wild boar in Punggol euthanised after gunshot wound to neck

SINGAPORE — A "rampaging" wild boar which was shot by a police officer on Tuesday (Nov 21) evening had to be euthanised after sustaining a gunshot wound to its neck, wildlife rescue group ACRES said.

The tusked wild boar — measuring 1.5m from head to tail — was involved in an accident with a car at Punggol West Flyover prior to the encounter with the police.

"It is a very unfortunate situation where the boar most certainly became very stressed due to injuries sustained from its collision with a vehicle," said an ACRES spokesperson. "The poor animal probably found itself cornered and became defensive."

The police said in a statement that they were initially alerted to an accident involving the wild boar and a car at the flyover around 7pm. The injured animal was lying on the road when the police and staff from ACRES arrived at the scene.

"The wild boar (then) got up and charged towards the officers and members of the public within the vicinity. The officers fired their Tasers at the boar, but it continued to charge towards them and the public," the police added.

This prompted one of the officers at the scene to draw his revolver and fire at the wild boar "to stop it from injuring anyone", the police said.

ACRES noted that while wild animals tend to be shy and avoid human contact, "in this situation, the cramped area with high human traffic stressed the boar".

The wildlife rescue group urged the public not to approach wild animals and give them space when in their presence.

No one was injured in the incident.