A wild boar's early-morning frenzy through Toyota City, Japan, sent four people to the hospital after the animal knocked down a factory worker, attacked a cyclist, and injured two others nearby.
Here's what to know
According to The Sun, the first encounter happened at about 5:30 a.m. on July 13 at a small factory that prepares school lunches.
In footage described by the outlet, a 64-year-old worker in the parking lot tried to scare the boar off with a shopping bag and then a plastic container before the boar rushed him and knocked him to the ground.
A co-worker then stepped in and used a metal trolley to force the animal back.
Other victims were hurt after the boar left the factory area. The Sun said it attacked a cyclist at a road crossing about 800 yards away and injured a man in his 80s at another nearby factory. A total of four men were hospitalized.
Police and firefighters fortunately were able to catch the boar around 7 a.m. The Sun said that the animal reportedly died at the scene from natural causes, but news reports in Japan stated that it was killed.
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The first victim told local media, "He must have seen me walking from a distance, so he came running at me with great force."
More background
Human activity can reshape landscapes, alter food sources, and change migration patterns. When wild animals show up in developed areas, these terrifying ordeals can happen more and more.
Encounters like this can be driven by everything from habitat loss to unsecured food waste. After the attack, Toyota City officials asked residents not to leave food outside.
The Sun also reported that wild boar attacks are rising in Japan, with 94 recorded. Bears can also be an even deadlier threat. The Sun said 238 people were hurt in bear attacks between April and November 2023, and 13 died.
What's being done?
Local officials are urging residents not to leave food outdoors, since easy access to food can attract wildlife to neighborhoods and industrial areas. The Sun said they also advised people not to provoke wild boars and to leave the area if they see one.
Avoid approaching wildlife, keep food and trash secured, and give animals enough room to move away.
"He was moving incredibly fast. I could barely dodge him," the first victim told local media. "He kept coming at me relentlessly, and although I've seen boars on the news and in videos, I never imagined that I would actually encounter one in the city and be attacked."
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