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Hong Kong's wild boar population has nearly halved in less than five years following the implementation of a capture-and-kill strategy, according to a recent legislative council study. The number of wild boars in the territory fell from an estimated 2,000 in 2021 to 990 by the end of 2025, marking a decline of over 50 percent. This dramatic reduction followed the introduction of regular culling operations by the Agricultural, Fisheries and Conservation Department, which began in November 2021. The department allocated HK$105.6 million (approximately US$13.46 million) over the past four years to carry out these efforts. Under the new policy, authorities have been conducting monthly operations to capture and euthanize wild boars using tranquilizer guns. These measures were introduced in response to growing concerns over human-wildlife conflict, particularly after a notable incident in November 2021. During this time, an auxiliary police officer was bitten in the right calf while attempting to secure a car park where an injured wild boar had been found. The animal later fell approximately 10 meters from the edge of the area and died. This event sparked public debate and prompted officials to reassess their approach to managing the boar population. Government data shows that the number of boars culled increased significantly under the new strategy. In 2021, just months after the policy change, the number of animals removed reached 723, representing an 11-fold increase compared to previous years. This surge in culling activity coincided with a sharp drop in incidents involving boar attacks. According to the same legislative council report, injuries caused by such encounters decreased by 80 percent during the same period. These statistics suggest that the policy has effectively reduced both the size of the boar population and the risk posed to residents. The decision to adopt the capture-and-kill strategy was part of a broader effort to address the increasing presence of wild boars in urban areas. As the population grew, so did reports of damage to property and threats to public safety. Prior to the policy change, the boar population remained relatively stable, hovering near 2,000 between 2020 and 2022. However, the introduction of regular culling operations led to a rapid decline, bringing the estimate down to 990 by 2025. Officials attributed this success to the consistent enforcement of the policy and the use of non-lethal methods to subdue the animals before lethal action was taken. Public reaction to the policy has varied. While some residents and officials praised the measures for reducing the threat posed by wild boars, others raised ethical concerns about the use of lethal force against the animals. Despite these debates, the government has continued to emphasize the necessity of the strategy in protecting both human life and infrastructure. The department has stated that ongoing monitoring will be necessary to ensure long-term effectiveness and to adapt to any changes in boar behavior or population trends. Looking ahead, authorities plan to maintain the current level of culling activities while exploring alternative management strategies. These could include habitat modification and enhanced community education programs aimed at preventing future conflicts. With the boar population now at its lowest point in recent history, the focus will likely shift toward sustainable coexistence rather than purely reactive measures. For now, the results of the capture-and-kill strategy remain a key factor in shaping how Hong Kong manages its wildlife challenges moving forward.