The number of traffic accidents involving wild boars in Singapore has increased exponentially in the
last few years. The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) reported that in 2016, it
received 140 pieces of feedback about wild boars from members of public, up from 80 in the previous
year and 30 in 2014.
Drivers often have difficulties detecting wild boars on the road due to the relatively low height of
these wild animals. As wild boars often travel in herds, accidents involving these heavy-weight
animals often result in serious vehicle damage and/or injuries. On 15 November 2016, a 25-year-old
motorist was admitted to the ICU after a collision with a wild boar on the BKE. 2 accidents
involving wild boars also occurred on 2 consecutive days last month, killing both wild boars and
sending 5 people to the hospital.
Despite the growing concern of the safety hazards caused by these animals, action by the relevant
governmental authorities have not been forthcoming. Despite the implementation of culling exercises
by the National Parks Board in 2012, traffic accidents involving wild boars still remain
considerable, especially in forested areas where wild boar populations remain prominent. Local
environment activist groups also question the morality and effectiveness of such culling exercises,
especially the impact that the culling may do to our ecosystem.
Is there a more humane and effective way to prevent wild boar traffic accidents in Singapore then?
The recent construction of a eco-link bridge along the BKE may have hit the nail on the head. This
62m-long wildlife link, completed in 2013, is a purpose-built bridge allowing animals to travel
between the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Central Catchment Nature Reserve without disrupting
road traffic along the BKE. Animal activists and motorists alike have welcomed this move, which cost
the NParks millions to implement. Nonetheless, it seems like more can be done to better regulate
wildlife traffic along these accident-prone areas. One suggestion to the government is to adopt
fencing methods so as to more effectively restrain wild animals from crossing highways with large
volumes of motor traffic. Afterall, animals do not have the intelligence of humans and may not
always be able to discern which crossing to take. Fences can not only serve as a barrier to our
roads, but may also guide animals to a safe pathway for animal crossings. This promotes safety not
only for animals but also for all motorists on the road.
News reports of wild-boar related accidents in Singapore:
Written on 20 October 2017