AVA replies to letter on boar's plight

The Straits Times, 8 Jul 05
Care of Ubin's wild boar adequate

I REFER to the letter, 'Life's a boar for this Pulau Ubin resident' (ST, July 2), by Madam Susannah Low.

The Agri-food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) acted on the feedback immediately. AVA's veterinarian visited the premises where the wild boar is kept to check on the boar and interview the owner.

Our investigations show that the boar is in satisfactory health and is kept under adequate living conditions. The boar's food and water requirements were met. Our veterinarian found that the boar was fed with food comprising commercial feeds, corn, fruit like apple, pear and coconut, and vegetables. In addition, it is given a large bucket of water twice a day.

The owner, who has kept the boar since it was a piglet, has also given us the assurance that he will continue to look after it.

We would like to thank Madam Low for her feedback and assure her once again that the boar's welfare has not been compromised.

Goh Shih Yong
Assistant Director
Corporate Communications for Chief Executive Officer
Agri-food & Veterinary Authority
Ministry of National Development