Bodrum locals feeding wild boars to keep them in forest

MUĞLA – Anadolu Agency

Residents in the Aegean town of Bodrum are leaving food and water in the places where wild boars have been spotted in order to prevent them from coming to the city center. 

Nearly 20 small and big boars have been seen coming to the Konacık neighborhood to find food, prompting local residents to take special measures. 

Two locals, Yeşim Güngör and Mustafa Öz, in an attempt to prevent the animals from coming to the city center again, have been loading food and water in a truck and left them on the incoming route of the boars for a week so far. 

“By doing this we think we can prevent the animals from come to the city center and people’s gardens. The municipality puts water bowls in the same places,” said Güngör. 

“I have seen people giving water to the boars. Buildings are going up everywhere and they cannot find water any more,” she added.

Öz said they brought foods like bread, watermelon and corn. 

Wildlife Action Group President Süha Umar said wild boars are not dangerous and they would not attack anyone unless they see their children in danger. 

“These animals eat forest pests and ventilate the bottom of trees by digging. This is why they are very useful,” Umar said. 

“Their population is increasing uncontrollably in Turkey and the world due to people interfering in nature for various reasons. Bodrum is the site of much illegal housing. Everywhere is full of buildings and it is continuing. This affects the wildlife and these animals need to find somewhere to find food and drink,” she added. 

Representatives of the Milas Nature Protection and National Parks Directorate also said wild boars come to the city center because buildings have been constructed on the routes where they reach water.