Babi Hutan (Wild Boar)
One of the common issue faced by those that own a farm that near secondary jungle, plantation or kampung (villages) are babi hutan (wild boar). Our helper spotted a group of wild boars from adult to child and shoot a video for us to see. I research and I think it is Javan/Banded Pig (Sus scrofa vittatus) with habitat cecondary forests, plantations, near villages. Few issues that this group of cute animal cause are like crop damage, soil & irrigation damage and etc.
And from my research, in Malaysia has one main species of wild boar and a few subspecies/variants that are found in different habitats. Below is an overview:
1. Eurasian Wild Boar (Sus scrofa)
- The only true wild boar species in Malaysia.
- Found widely across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak.
- It is highly adaptable, living in forests, plantations (oil palm, rubber), and near human settlements.
2. Subspecies / Local Variants in Malaysia
Biologists recognize local forms of Sus scrofa in Southeast Asia, sometimes considered subspecies:
- Sus scrofa vittatus (Javan or banded pig)
- Found in Peninsular Malaysia and the Greater Sunda Islands.
- Slightly smaller than the European Sus scrofa, with a lighter body and a whitish band along the muzzle.
- Sus scrofa cristatus (Indian boar)
- Larger, with a longer mane and darker coat.
- Less common in Malaysia, but sometimes noted in literature as present in the northern regions.
3. Bearded Pig (Sus barbatus)
- Found mainly in Borneo (Sabah & Sarawak), not in Peninsular Malaysia.
- Recognizable by its long white facial “beard”.
- Prefers rainforests and mangrove habitats.
- Important seed disperser in forest ecosystems.
| Species / Subspecies | Distribution in Malaysia | Size & Appearance | Key Features | Habitat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eurasian Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) | Widely in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak | Medium to large body, greyish-brown coat | Rooting snout, tusks, highly adaptable | Forest edges, plantations (oil palm, rubber), farmland |
| Javan/Banded Pig (Sus scrofa vittatus) (subspecies of wild boar) | Mainly Peninsular Malaysia | Smaller than European wild boar, lighter build | Whitish band on muzzle; shorter hair | Secondary forests, plantations, near villages |
| Indian Wild Boar (Sus scrofa cristatus) (subspecies, rare in Malaysia) | Occasionally noted in northern Peninsular Malaysia | Larger, darker body, long back mane | Mane runs along spine; larger tusks | Grasslands, forest edges (rarer in Malaysia) |
| Bearded Pig (Sus barbatus) | Only in Sabah & Sarawak (Borneo) | Medium size, slimmer than wild boar | Long white facial beard, straighter tail tuft | Rainforest, mangroves, swampy lowlands |
Problems Faced by Farmers with Wild Boar
1. Crop Damage
- Rooting & digging: Wild boars use their snouts to dig for roots, tubers, earthworms — this uproots crops and damages soil structure.
- Feeding on fruits & vegetables: They eat oil palm fruits, rubber seedlings, tapioca, maize, paddy, bananas, pineapples, and tubers (yam, sweet potato, cassava).
- Seedling destruction: In plantations, they bite or uproot young oil palm or rubber seedlings, reducing yields and increasing replanting costs.
- Farmers in Cameron Highlands also report destruction of vegetable crops like cabbage, corn, and pumpkin.
2. Soil & Irrigation Damage
- Their digging disturbs irrigation systems in paddy fields or vegetable farms.
- Soil aeration can sometimes benefit forests, but on farms it causes erosion and uneven ground, making mechanized farming difficult.
3. Livestock Threats
- Wild boar may compete with livestock (like goats or cattle) for food and water.
- They can also damage fencing, allowing other predators into farms.
4. Spread of Diseases
- Wild boar are potential carriers of diseases that affect livestock and even humans:
- Classical swine fever (CSF)
- African swine fever (ASF) – though Malaysia is on alert, it’s a global concern.
- Leptospirosis (bacterial infection transmissible to humans, spread through urine in water/soil).
5. Human–Wildlife Conflict
- Farmers sometimes face direct encounters — boars can be aggressive if cornered, especially females with piglets.
- Trapping, poisoning, or hunting can cause conflict with conservation laws or raise safety issues.
6. Economic Losses
- According to Malaysian agricultural reports, wild boars are among the top wildlife pests causing losses to farmers.
- In oil palm plantations, damage can result in 10–30% yield reduction in affected plots.
Got it 👍 Let’s go through the main strategies Malaysian farmers use to manage wild boar problems, along with their pros & cons.
Wild Boar Control & Management Strategies
1. Physical Barriers (Fencing)
- Electric fencing (low-voltage wires around farm perimeters).
- Strong wire-mesh fencing or reinforced barriers in small-scale farms.
Pros:
- Effective at keeping wild boar out when properly maintained.
- Non-lethal, environmentally friendly.
Cons:
- High installation & maintenance costs (especially for large plantations).
- Boars are strong — may damage or break weak fences.
2. Hunting & Culling
- Licensed hunting allowed by PERHILITAN (Department of Wildlife and National Parks).
- Farmers sometimes hire local hunters with dogs or traps.
Pros:
- Reduces population pressure locally.
- Provides wild meat (in communities that consume it).
Cons:
- Temporary solution — boar populations bounce back quickly.
- Risk of accidents (guns, dogs, traps).
- Ethical and religious concerns (wild boar is haram in Islam).
3. Trapping
- Box traps or corral traps baited with fruits/crops.
Pros:
- Effective for small-scale farms.
- Can target specific problem boars.
Cons:
- Requires frequent checking (animal welfare & safety).
- Captured boars need to be culled — handling is dangerous.
4. Guard Animals (Dogs)
- Some farmers keep hunting dogs to patrol farms and scare off wild boar.
Pros:
- Useful deterrent, especially at night.
- Multi-purpose (farm protection beyond boars).
Cons:
- Dogs can be injured by aggressive boars.
- Needs training & upkeep.
5. Chemical / Biological Methods
- Poisoning is illegal under Malaysian wildlife law (danger to humans & other wildlife).
- Repellents (scent-based or taste-based) are tested in some areas but not widely effective.
Pros:
- Cheap (repellents).
Cons:
- Ineffective long-term.
- Risk of ecological harm.
6. Community Management
- Coordinated village or plantation-level hunting programs.
- Collaboration with PERHILITAN for population control in hotspots.
Pros:
- More effective than individual efforts.
- Reduces re-invasion from nearby areas.
Cons:
- Requires community cooperation.
- Enforcement issues (illegal hunting, over-harvesting).
7. Habitat Management
- Clearing thick undergrowth around farms (reduces cover for boars).
- Buffer crops (planting crops less attractive to boars at the edges).
Pros:
- Prevents easy access to farms.
- Works well with other methods.
Cons:
- Labor-intensive.
- Only partial deterrence.
In Summary
- In Peninsular Malaysia, when people say “wild boar” (babi hutan), they usually mean Sus scrofa vittatus.
- In Sabah and Sarawak, both Sus scrofa and Sus barbatus occur, though the bearded pig is more iconic there.
- Wild boar are considered pests in agriculture (especially oil palm plantations) but play an ecological role in forests by dispersing seeds and aerating soil while foraging.
- Causing issues to farmers, what we are facing now are crop damage and soil & irrigation issues.
- In the future, I think we will implement physical fencing and guard dogs.