Ecology & habits
Wild Pig (Sus scrofa) is a common and widespread native mammal in Hong Kong. Adults can weigh up to 200 kg and reach a body length up to 2 m. They have thick and short bristly coats ranging from brownish grey to black. Piglets are light brown with darker stripes on their coat for camouflage. This pattern typically fades within the first six months to one year of age. Adult males possess tusks that protrude from the corners of their mouth.
Wild pigs have successfully adapted to the various habitats, including forests, grasslands, and rural areas. They are primarily herbivorous, consuming a range of plant materials such as grass, roots, tubers, and fallen fruits. However, they are opportunistic omnivores and will also scavenge for food, including insects, small animals, and even human food waste found in garbage.
In general, wild pigs are secretive and wary of human contact. However, if provoked or threatened, they may become aggressive and potentially attack humans, especially adult males and sows with piglets.
Problems caused by feeding wild pigs
Some people enjoy feeding wild pigs and even have concerns that the animals might be starving in the wild, believing that they should be fed regularly like pets. However, there is already an abundance of natural food available for wild pigs in countryside areas, and they do not require human feeding. In fact, human feeding can lead to the following negative consequences:
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Given the strong reproductive capacity and adaptability of wild pigs and the lack of natural predators, feeding would facilitate the rapid proliferation of wild pig population.
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Human feeding encourages wild pigs to roam and gather in residential or urban areas, causing nuisance to the public and potentially even resulting in traffic accidents.
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Frequent contact with humans has caused some wild pigs to lose their natural fear of humans. As a result, their behavior may become increasingly aggressive, posing a danger to the general public. This can also increase the risk of disease transmission.
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Leftover food can lead to environmental hygiene problems.
Preventive measures for wild pig nuisance
Some wild pigs intrude into villages and urban areas in search of food, causing disturbance and damage of crops and personal properties. In order to reduce the nuisance caused by wild pigs, preventive measures are recommended as follows:
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Do not feed any wild or stray animals, as food remains will attract wild pigs to congregate near the feeding sites;
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Manage outdoor rubbish bins properly or use animal-proof rubbish bins to reduce any possible food sources for wild pigs; and
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Erect sturdy fences to protect crops or use infrared auto-trigger audio or lighting devices to deter wild pigs.
How to handle encounters with wild pigs
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When encountering wild pigs, remain keep calm, stay away and leave them undisturbed;
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Do not touch any wild pigs, including piglets;
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If necessary, take cover behind barriers and wait for the wild pigs to leave before continuing;
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Do not throw objects at or try to chase away the wild pigs away, as it may provoke them and lead to danger;
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Do not corner wild pigs or block their escape routes; and
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If disturbed by wild pigs, you can call 1823 to notify this department for follow-up. In case of an emergency, you should immediately call 999 to request police assistance.
Wild Animals Protection Ordinance
According to the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170), illegal feeding of wild animals (including wild pigs, monkeys and wild birds) is liable to a fixed penalty fine of $5,000 or prosecution with a maximum penalty of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year.
Wild Pig Capture Operation
Since November 2021, AFCD has launched regular wild pig capture operations at urban and rural sites with large numbers of wild pigs, and those sites with past injury cases or with pigs which may pose risks to members of the public. Furthermore, upon receiving reports about wild pig sightings in urban areas or residential areas from citizens or other government departments, the AFCD will also perform ad hoc operations to capture the wild pigs which pose potential danger or cause nuisance to members of the public. In recent years, AFCD has further allocated resources to increase the frequency of capture operations, and enhanced the operation efficiency by making use of online surveillance camera and new animal traps.
Since November 2021, AFCD has captured and dispatched 1,771 wild pigs as at 2 July 2025. The number of wild pigs captured and humanely dispatched are as follows.
| Number |
Date |
Location |
No. of Wild Pigs |
| 1. to 840. |
November 2021 to June 2025 |
840 Capture Operations, humanely dispatched 1769 wild pigs
|
| 841. |
2 July 2025 |
Shan Kwong Road |
2 |
| Total: |
1,771 |
| |
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Please click the icon to download leaflet of "Hong Kong Wildlife: Wild Pig"
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