Statistics show that the number of boars in Heilongjiang has increased from 36 thousand in 2000 to 70 thousand in 2006. Boars have injured more than 50 people since 2000. (File Photo)   Chinanews, Beijing, Oct. 25 – On October 19, Heilongjiang Provincial Department of Forestry approved of hunting 100 boars from October 24 to December 31 this year in the city of Jixi in the southeastern part of the province. On October 23, nearly ten thousand people in Harbin, the provincial capital, signed their names in a petition appealing to the local government to ban the hunting of boars.

 

Statistics show that the number of boars in Heilongjiang has increased from 36 thousand in 2000 to 70 thousand in 2006. Boars have injured more than 50 people since 2000. Currently with 600-700 boars inhabiting Jixi, the local government deems that they pose a great threat to people's safety.

 

When Heilongjiang Provincial Department of Forestry approved of boar hunting in Jixi, the local forestry bureau immediately drew up a specific plan to that end. Several hunting teams joined by local forestry officials and police officers have also been set up.

 

Some 30 volunteers from an environmental protection organization named "Green Longjiang" have initiated a variety of activities these days, promoting environmental knowledge and persuading people to protect boars, not to kill them. Ten thousand people signed their names on banners to support such activities.