Wild boars seem to be an increasing nuisance to those living in Melaka.

Following rising complaints especially from farmers, Melaka state exco Norhizam Hassan Baktee said that the state would be setting up a special committee to deal with animal issues including wild boars.

A piggy situation.
According to a report by Malaysiakini quoting Utusan Malaysia, to ensure that the operation was a success, the committee needed an allocation of RM941,000 to buy 100 wild boar traps, ammunition, management equipment as well as bait.

The report also detailed how the sum was needed to purchase monkey and snake traps as well.

"We will promote a campaign to eradicate this particular wildlife (the wildboars) and police approval will be attained for the operation," he said.

The exco also said that an application would be sent to Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali to approve the operating costs and the setting up of the special committee.

The people against the pigs

Wild boars galore.
Norhizam said that the operation would also be joined by the Melaka State Shooters Association, the Malaysian Volunteer Department (Rela) and officials from the local authorities.

According to the report, there are generally two species of pigs in the country.

One is the wild boar or babi hutan and the second is the Bornean bearded pig or babi bodoh (yup, that's the poor creature's actual name in Malay).

Just so you know, wild boars are protected in Malaysia, but it can be hunted with a permit.

Hunting spree.
Reports in November last year by the Melaka Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) Department Director Mohd Hasdi Husin said that the total population of wild boars in Melaka had risen to alarming levels as compared to 2018.

According to him, the numbers of wild boar had doubled, leading to more wild boar-human conflict hot spots identified in the state.