Their scientific name is Sus scrofa
This is Jack, probably the most photographed pig in Pulau Ubin.
With a population of 500 boars, they managed very well to hide themselves.
Instead you will see a lot of freshly churned top soil as they dig with their snouts for earthworms. Their favorite snacks include rubber seeds and durians.
Consider yourself lucky when you encounter them. The older big ones may do a mock charge. Just shout to frighten it away.
Smaller younger ones may even feed close to you and are not wary of humans.
Even up close they are so pre-occupied with eating that we were able to take pictures up close.
Avoid baby pigs with little stripes. Mum is around and she can be very protective.
Striped piglet. Photo taken at Chek Jawa.
Sometimes you may come across their nest. Be cautious, the nest are used by other boars to hide in also.
Coconuts torn open by boars. Their snouts are that strong.
Coconuts are also used as bait to set traps. Report to Nparks should you encounter such traps. Some poachers even use leg clamp traps that are danger to unsuspecting humans and pets.
Update: Jan 2011
Wilds pigs also feed on shorelines and mangrove swamps for their favorite shellfish. Herds would sometimes swim across the Straits of Johore looking for new source of food. To them, and to tigers when Singapore is just a fishing village, the Johore Straits is just another large river similar to those in Malaysia. Which is one one hear news of occasional wild pigs that lost their way into mainland Singapore. Its too bad they are seen as free pork like free fruits during Ubin’s durian season. People here would launch themselves in avid discussions how how they should be cooked instead of viewing them as living links to mother earth.
Lokan clams with ample meat are among their favorites. Speaking of lokan clams, an old Malay lady was gathering them when she came face to face with a boar which she mistook for a tiger, causing a tiger scare where signs were put out warning everyone by authorities. There are still false alarms since. Anyone with photo of the warning signs to share?
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Tags: animal traps, boar nest, durian, earthworm, lokan clams, rubber seed, sus scrofa, tiger sighting, wild boar, wildlife
