Four civilians were injured in a wild boar attack at Tral market in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir. The incident caused panic among locals as the boar entered the busy market area and attacked people randomly. The injured individuals were taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment, and their condition is reported to be stable.
Authorities quickly managed the situation with the help of concerned teams. Wild boars, initially introduced to Kashmir in the 1840s for hunting, are now considered invasive pests. Despite being locally extinct in 1984, they reappeared in Kashmir around 2013, and their population has been increasing ever since.
Although an official census is pending, forest officials estimate around 200 wild boars in Kashmir. These animals have been spotted in various areas like Uri, Limber, Lachipora, and Balwar in Jammu and Kashmir. They have also been seen in Dachigam National Park, sharing habitat with the critically endangered Hangul deer, posing a threat to the ecology.
The resurgence of wild boars, possibly due to warmer winters, poses risks to agriculture, ecosystems, and native wildlife. Recent sightings even include urban areas like Srinagar’s Tulip Garden and farmlands. These animals are now recognized as a significant threat, especially to the Hangul population, causing habitat degradation and competing for resources with native species.
