Wild boar injures five in SW China rampage

KUNMING, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- A wild boar spread havoc in a peaceful village in Yongshan County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, injuring five farmers, according to local police.

The incident in mountainous Heitie village, initially saw the marauding boar attack a villager fetching firewood, surnamed Xu, biting him on the jaw and calf. Not finished, the creature then attacked a farmer surnamed Liu, and finally went on to wound three more villagers before finally making its escape into the mountains.

The raging boar was quickly reported to police, and the injured taken to local hospitals.

Medical expenses will partly be covered by a commercial insurance purchased by the local government for residents hurt by wild boar.

China has seen more wild animal harassment in recent years, as the animal population continues to grow due to an improved environment and tougher laws protecting wildlife.

To cope with increasing incidents of wild animals harming residents, Yunnan local governments have purchased commercial insurance for people that live in regions with an abundance of wild animals.

The government pays the premiums, and insurers investigate and compensate people up to 200,000 yuan (30,300 U.S. dollars) when animals cause trouble. Enditem