WITH the improvement of the ecological environment on Wutong Mountain, wildlife has also witnessed an increase in recent years. Recently, wild boars have been spotted frequently by tourists and the management staffers at the scenic spot, the Shenzhen Economic Daily reported yesterday.

Liang Guoqiang, an administrator of the mountaintop management station, said a sudden bang was heard outside the door at about 1 a.m. Oct. 12. It sounded like something had fallen to the ground followed by beeps.

Holding flashlights, Liang and his colleagues found a black, chubby wild boar rummaging through the rubbish dump. The sound they had just heard was from their unexpected visitor.

The boar was alerted by the lights, but was not afraid to look at the spectators. After more than 10 seconds, it walked slowly towards the mountain ridge and later rushed into the woods.

According to Liang, on a slope about 200 meters away from the station, there is a trail that has been trampled by wild boars. In addition to the mountaintop square, the nursery garden is also frequented by wild boars.

In the first half of this year, staffers of Liantang management station even saw a sow coming out for food with four or five piglets.

However, wild animals such as wild boars, snakes, bees and fire ants are highly aggressive, said a staffer with the Wutong Mountain Scenic Spot Management Office.

Wild boars usually appear at night and are afraid of human beings. As long as tourists don’t attack or provoke them, they usually won’t hurt people. Nevertheless, if they are attacked, especially when injured, they will counterattack madly.

Moreover, tourists are advised to be fully prepared before climbing the mountain and not to walk on untrodden trails or enter unopened areas when climbing. If tourists encounter animals, such as snakes and bees, they should not chase after or attack them.

(Zhang Yu)