Beijing News Radio Interviews Linda Wong on Human-Wildlife Conflicts Brought by Wild Boar Problem

Wild boar attacks have been making headlines, with incidents of property damage and human injury on the rise. The wild boar population in China has soared to 2 million, distributed across 28 provinces. Despite their removal from the national list of protected species in 2023 due to escalating conflicts, their population continues to grow unchecked. Wild boars are now believed the most problematic wildlife species in China, causing widespread damage and losses.

Credit: pixabay

On Oct 29th 2024, Linda Wong, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF), and a member of the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP), was invited to speak with Beijing Radio and Television talking about the escalating issue of wild boar populations in China and the subsequent human-wildlife conflicts.

The rapid growth of wild boar populations across China has led to a surge in incidents of property damage and human injuries. Recent high-profile cases include a wild boar causing a train derailment in Nanjing, resulting in a fatality, and another boar entering a residential home in Beijing.

In response to the host's questions, Linda Wong emphasized that while biodiversity conservation is essential, it's equally important to find sustainable solutions to human-wildlife conflicts. She noted that the current increase in wild boar numbers is due to various factors, including habitat loss for natural predators, and improved conservation efforts that have led to a rebound in wild boar populations.  The absence of large predators like tigers and wolves has allowed wild boar populations to thrive unchecked in many regions.

“The concept of biodiversity isn’t just about protection or conservation; it’s also about sustainable utilization,” Linda Wong stated. “While we need to protect wildlife, it's also needed to address the challenges and threats if their over-population pose to human communities.”

In many Western countries, overpopulation of certain wildlife species can lead to significant human-wildlife conflicts. For example, in Texas, overpopulation of white-tailed deer has resulted in crop damage and increased traffic accidents, prompting the state government to encourage hunting to control the deer population. Similarly, Australia's rabbit problem, originating from the introduction of European rabbits in the 19th century, has caused extensive ecological damage. Despite various attempts to control the population, including the introduction of predators and fencing, hunting has ultimately been necessary. In Europe, wild boar overpopulation has led to crop damage and human-wildlife conflicts, resulting in some countries allowing farmers to hunt wild boars under certain conditions.

Wong further discussed the need for a balanced approach to wild boar management, suggesting that local authorities should consider a combination of strategies, such as habitat management, population control measures, and public education. She highlighted the importance of involving local communities in finding solutions, as they are often on the front lines of these conflicts.

“The recent incident in Nanjing is a stark reminder of the serious consequences of human-wildlife conflicts,” Wong said. “We need to find ways to coexist with wildlife while also ensuring the safety and well-being of human communities.”

Wong particularly emphasized the importance of transparency, traceability, and public engagement in sustainable wildlife management. She warned that hunting, if not properly regulated, could be exploited by poachers and threaten biodiversity.

(Please note: This article is a routine work record. It is for information only.)

Reporter: Wendy

Reviewer: Richard

Date: 2024-10-31

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