fishhooked boar @ chek Jawa 16Oct2011

She was fine in the early morning but by the late morning, there was a metal fish hook and line stuck just inside her mouth on the left side.

Pity this had to happen to one of the tamest wild boars at Chek Jawa. This particular boar would greet visitors at the Chek Jawa visitor centre all throughout the day.

Apparently there had been some fishermen at fishing illegally at CJ South overnight and perhaps they had carelessly left some bait on a discarded hook and line. Or the hook and line may have been left some time ago by other fishermen.

She was foraging for food in the bush and near the bicycle park where some visitors had thrown human food items (like yoghurt drinks) at the macaques and the boar. Some of the monkeys had come down from the trees and taken water bottles from the parked bicycle baskets. The sound of plastic being crunched by sharp teeth higher up in the trees seemed to be a standard sound shortly after new visitors rode in and parked their bikes with partially consumed food and drink items left in the bicycle baskets. I hope these monkeys do not get accustomed to a high refined sugar diet.

The hooked boar occasionally stepped on the trailing line and this caused her some discomfort because that would exert a sudden pull on the hook attached to her mouth. I hope the wound does not get infected over time especially given that boars usually forage with their snouts in the topsoil to find food.

Attempts to get close to the boar proved futile as she moved away each time her comfort zone was breached. Hope she receives aid soon enough.

UPDATE 17thOctober2011 : one of the resident Ubin Taxi 'uncles' had managed to remove the hook on the afternoon of the 17th. Apparently, feeding the boar chewy bread did magic as the hook dislodged itself during the chewing. Great job! And thanks to NParks and ACRES for getting ready to assist in the interim. Good to know help was available.