Their scientific name is Sus scrofa
Update 23 June 2012
Wild pigs are being seen at urban areas including Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park prompting fears of unprovoked attacks. Wild pigs especially male boars would attack when cornered by dogs trained to hunt them, a sport in many countries. The dogs wore neck armor made from conveyor belts. Which is why wild pigs would run away at the sight of humans who is their greatest enemy.
Large boar at Ubin cemetery running away the moment it saw us when we were 100 metres away.
Like most animals in the lower food chain, their evolutionary mechanism is to have large litters although great many of their young would not survive to adulthood. Our local species are also called European wild pigs, having extended their habitats across continents Asia with their omnivorous diet and adaptability. I would consider them our native species and not some alien hell bent to destroy our environment as some put them to be. And unlike what we humans are doing and hastening our own extinction.
Still the question needs to be addressed. With no natural enemies in Singapore as we are not allowed hunt and with no tigers in our jungles to ambush them, will Singapore be overrun by wild pigs?
Such fears may be premature. Wild pigs are great swimmers and see the Straits of Johore as just another river to swim across as they forage for food. They are vulnerable in water and Johor villagers have been helping themselves to free jungle pork. Few survived the swim across. Their meat are considered a delicacy due to their natural diet compared to those in Malaysia that feed mostly on palm oil fruit which give them an off taste.
This is just an opinion, formed by speaking to those who hunted them. Opinions about wild pigs are poles apart and truth is still out there. My sympathy is still with the pigs. What I am really upset about are poachers who use leg traps that hurt unwary hikers and pet dogs alike. Or unattended cage traps that leave the trapped animals to die slowly from heat and thirst.
At at later date, when negative press move to other issues to fill up newspapers headlines, we hope to post some cute pictures of wild piglets.
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 on 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?
