Wild boars 'invade' Chinese city

A lack of food has driven the boars out of their usual habitat

China is lifting a ban on hunting wild boars after a number of the animals were discovered roaming freely in an eastern city, local media have said.

The wild hogs have invaded dormitories, kitchens and scenic spots around West Lake in the city of Hangzhou, 200km (124 miles) south-east of Shanghai.

One broke into a university kitchen and ate the leftovers before leaving.

The boars have been driven out of their usual mountain habitat by a scarcity of food, Shanghai Daily newspaper said.

In one incident, tourists at a popular West Lake scenic spot were frightened by the sudden appearance of some of the boars, the newspaper said.

Another of the boars, reported to weigh 200kg (440lb), rushed into a security guard's room and jumped onto his daughter's bed.

The animal then ran out and rammed a taxi before disappearing from view.

The wild boar is usually a protected species and has thrived recently in the West Lake area due to an absence of predators, the Shanghai Daily said.