A 76-year-old woman in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province is attacked by a wild boar on November 24, 2024. Photo: Screenshot from China Central Television

A 76-year-old woman surnamed Hu in Huangxing village of Langao county in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province was attacked by a wild boar on Sunday. Hu died despite rescue efforts by the county hospital's emergency center, according to a statement from the Langao county's forestry bureau on Tuesday.

A joint investigation team was established following the incident. Preliminary findings revealed that wild boars had been damaging crops in the area. On Sunday morning, four people including one surnamed Chen took hunting dogs up the mountain to chase wild boars. One of the wild boars, pursued by the dogs, entered a farmer's yard, where it attacked Hu, according to the statement. 

The statement noted that the county has strengthened monitoring of wild boar damage, proactively carried out population control measures, organized boar culling in an orderly manner, and launched extensive campaigns to raise the public's safety awareness on wildlife to eliminate potential risks and reduce harm.

The incident has garnered widespread attention across China. Along with the statement issued by Langao county on Tuesday, CCTV provided key recommendations for the public on how to respond if charged by a wild boar, including stay calm to avoid shouting or throwing stones and sticks at the boar, as this could provoke it and lead to an attack. If possible, leave the area slowly without running, as running may agitate the boar.

Global Times