A wild boar has been spotted in Woluwe Park for several weeks. The communal authorities of Woluwe-Saint-Pierre have issued a decree allowing the Brussels Environment teams to take measures to ensure public safety, stated Mayor Benoît Cerexhe's office on Sunday.
The city official's decree allows Brussels Environment to respond quickly, without the need for permission under natural ordinance. "The almost daily presence of this animal in the park represents a risk we cannot ignore,” commented Mayor Cerexhe.
At this point, the exact means of managing the situation remains undecided, explained Pascale Hourman, spokesperson for Brussels Environment. "Ideally, the animal should be moved to a more suitable area. Currently, the animal shows no signs of aggression. Euthanasia is the last option to consider, only if the boar poses a threat to public safety, which is absolutely not the case at the moment," she continued.
"This is a delicate operation requiring a range of safety measures, both for Brussels residents and vehicle traffic," she added.
Only one individual has been observed, which could return to a more suitable hunting territory on its own. A member of its species can travel up to 12 kilometres per night.
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However, Brussels Environment experts have noticed behavioural changes in the boar over the past month. The animal is becoming less fearful and does not automatically flee from humans.
Authorities are urging locals to adopt appropriate conduct. "Keep your dog on a lead, and if you encounter the wild boar, remain calm and keep your distance. Avoid picking up a stick or attempting to chase it away. Most importantly, do not feed it under any circumstances, to prevent any further changes in its behaviour," Hourman insisted.
