Calls for Review of Hong Kong's Wild Boar and Buffalo Management Strategy

Animal rights groups in Hong Kong are urging authorities to reassess their culling strategy for wild boars following recent incidents that have raised concerns about human-wildlife conflict. On Tuesday, the Agricultural, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) euthanized eight wild boars—two adults and six juveniles—after they wandered into a residential area near Chuk Yuen North Estate in Wong Tai Sin. The following day, a buffalo was struck by a vehicle on a highway in Yuen Long and was later euthanized, further highlighting the dangers posed by wildlife in urban settings.

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The culling policy, adopted in 2021, replaced a previous strategy of "capture, contraception, and relocation." Critics argue that this approach has led to a significant decline in the wild boar population, which fell from approximately 1,830 in 2022 to around 900 in 2024. Roni Wong Ho-yin from the Hong Kong Wild Boar Concern Group condemned the recent culling as "brutal," asserting that the animals posed no immediate threat to residents. Wong criticized the method used to capture the boars, stating, “Exploiting the animals’ trust to capture and humanely dispatch them is despicable and brutal behavior.”

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Kent Luk Ka-chit, founder of Paws Guardian Rescue Shelter, echoed these sentiments, describing instances of boars being injured by traps and calling for humane treatment of all animals, regardless of their wild status. He emphasized the need for coexistence measures, such as animal bridges and better urban planning, to mitigate conflicts.

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The ongoing Northern Metropolis project, which involves significant urban expansion, is exacerbating the situation by clearing wildlife habitats. Activists warn that poor city planning will further endanger local wildlife, leading to more incidents like those recently reported. Brian Wong Shiu-hung from the Liber Research Community noted that aggressive culling could lead to more wary or aggressive behavior from the remaining animals, suggesting that a less drastic approach could foster peaceful coexistence.

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An AFCD spokesperson defended the current culling strategy, stating it is the only effective measure for controlling wild pig conflicts. The department reported receiving over 1,000 public complaints annually regarding wild pig nuisances, indicating the ongoing challenges faced in managing wildlife in urban areas.

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Looking ahead, experts advocate for a review of the culling policy, emphasizing the importance of considering wildlife as stakeholders in urban planning. Suggestions include studying boar habits, establishing boundaries, and creating buffer zones to facilitate coexistence.

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• “The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department [AFCD] staff first threw bread on the ground to lure them, targeted the piglets first, then rounded up the adults … I think exploiting the animals’ trust to capture and humanely dispatch them is despicable and brutal behaviour.” — Roni Wong Ho-yin, Hong Kong Wild Boar Concern Group

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• “Killing the animals could backfire, Wong said, warning: “Aggressive culling could make them warier or more violent towards humans.” — Brian Wong Shiu-hung, Liber Research Community

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• “ An AFCD spokesman defended the current approach, stating the capture and dispatch programme had proven to be the only population control measure capable of effectively reducing wild pig conflicts at the local level.” — AFCD Spokesperson

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The situation remains dynamic, with calls for a more humane and effective approach to managing wildlife in Hong Kong.

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