The problem of wild animals isn’t exclusive to the country, as they are also making an appearance in the capital, near mountains including Bukhansan and Inwangsan, while some of them end up in some of the busiest areas in Seoul in search of food. (Image: Yonhap)
OKCHEON, June 12 (Korea Bizwire) – Okcheon County in North Chungcheong Province has recently experienced a drop in the number of attacks from wild boars, after the local government began feeding the wild animals instead of hunting them, following the realization that many venture out of their natural habitat due to hunger.
Previously, local government officials relied heavily on capturing and hunting to protect farms from wild animal attacks.
However, after leaving 200 kilograms of sweet potatoes and carrots in an area where the wild animals frequently appeared, the county experienced less harm on farms nearby as well as fewer reported sightings of wild boars in the region.
Wild boars often come down from the mountain and into town during the breeding season in search of food, and local officials believe if they have enough food, there is no reason for the wild animals to clash with the local farmers.
The problem of wild animals isn’t exclusive to the country, as they are also making an appearance in the capital, near mountains including Bukhansan and Inwangsan, while some of them end up in some of the busiest areas in Seoul in search of food.
Okcheon County in North Chungcheong Province has recently experienced a drop in the number of attacks from wild boars, after the local government began feeding the wild animals instead of hunting them, following the realization that many venture out of their natural habitat due to hunger. (Image: Okcheon County)
According to last year’s figures from the Seoul Metropolitan Fire & Disaster Headquarters, nearly 550 sightings of wild boars in urban areas were reported until last November, up 50.5 percent from the previous year.
Compared to 2011, the number of times a rescue team was called in to handle wild boars has increased almost 13-fold over the last five years, to nearly 1.5 times every day.
Previously, local government officials relied heavily on capturing and hunting to protect farms from wild animal attacks. (Image: Yangyang Fire Station)
However, the harm from wild animals is being felt particularly in places with vast swaths of farmland, as more than 3,700 wild boars were captured in seven cities and counties including Gimcheon and Gumi alone, from last November to February.
Hyunsu Yim (hyunsu@koreabizwire.com)
