Yes, this was exiting to meet the boar even though I heard of their presence on Lamma and saw many times the hoof prints. What is still puzzling for me is how the pigs arrived on Lamma and how they survived the times when Lamma was farmed and stripped from woods, and the times of probably intensive poaching (e.g. IIWW and poverty of fifties and sixties). Was it introduced by man? How such a small herd remains in a good health despite inbreeding?

That explains. The appearance of the pig did not resemble the wild boar I met in Europe (photo from Wikipedia). Exactly, the one I saw on Lamma looked rather closer to furry domestic pigs in India.

Here are a few pictures of Lamma's boars, taken just above YSW, up on the hill in front of the Power Station:

http://www.compunicate.com/Lamma-zine/Blog/Blog-2010-02.html#Feb17

Any more pictures would be most welcome, as our wild boars have made a small comeback after almost vanishing, going underground in the most remote areas just 1-2 years ago.

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I do find it a bit of a stretch to think they could have survived in the wild while the island was mostly denuded. I lived here 20 years ago before the tree planting efforts and I never once heard of them. And let's face it, Lamma is no stranger to rumours and tall tales.

Another datapoint: I went for a walk a few weeks ago near Pak Kok Tsui, and I walked past a fairly substantial fenced-off area which, even though I couldn't hear anything coming from within, smelled very strongly of animal manure. I'm no connoisseur, but it didn't smell like cow, sheep or horse - if I had to guess I'd say it was pig. So there may be a pig farm still in existence on the island. I am open to correction, however.

Do domestic Chinese piggies look like those pics that Lamma Gung posted? I've travelled around China quite a bit and don't recall having seen anything that looks quite so wild and hairy. Then again, boar meat is highly prized (and extremely tasty), so a farm may have been keeping one or two.

Spotted a pack of boars too, today at midnight. A large one and two tiny cubs, plus at least a couple more were making noise in the bushes. Location: graves near the PCCW station up in Tai Peng.

They are making quite a mess of our gardens in Tai Peng

Just received from Jason:

"Spotted this Wild Boar up in Tai Peng New Village the other evening at around 7:00pm on Friday the 15th.

It has been the second time I have seen them in a fortnight, but unfortunately I couldn’t get a photo a couple of weeks ago, but I got it this time!

Anyway thought you might be interested to share with everyone."

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Great to get an actual photo of one of the Lamma boars! Nice one Jason

I saw a sow with one piglet rooting through rubbish bags opposite the kindergarten this evening.
She was as big as a large dog, but much bulkier. Not as dark as the one Jason photographed, a light brown coat. She dodged behind the bins but didn't run away, just watched me. Not very frightened of people obviously. They'll be trotting down Main Street looking for handouts before long.

They like being scratched behind the ear.

Rambler, as our new Official Court Wildlife Photographer could you get a photo of yourself trying to scratch a boar behind the ear, please?

Plus one more photo of you running like mad and climbing a tree, trying to escape?

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When I was at Yung Shue Wan earlier tonight, two people asked for direction to Lo So Shing for camping. I told them its too dark to go to Lo So Shing. So I refer them to power station beach. But I forgot to warn them about stray dogs and wild boars. By the way, do wild boars stay up on the hills? did they ever appear on the beaches?

Many danger Wah!

I saw a family of wild boars breaking into the farmer's fence along the path that goes up to tai peng from YSW (before he retired). Two big fatties and a little-ish baby or two, as I recall. Ran off into the foliage behind his plot.

Bit of a surprise, while walking back from the ferry late at night.