Wild-boar hunters seen near MacRitchie

Licensed hunters have been engaged to cull wild boars at the Singapore Island Country Club (SICC).

A man in hunting fatigues startled a runner near the outskirts of MacRitchie Reservoir on Monday.The hunter told him he was one of a team of seven, said the runner, a businessman who wanted to be known only as Bernard.

A police spokesman yesterday confirmed the team's use of firearms at SICC to cull wild boars and monkeys had been approved.

He said the shooters are required to notify the police before the beginning of each culling exercise and are expected to comply with safety guidelines during the operations.

"The licensed shooters are only permitted to keep their licensed firearms in the armouries approved by the police and they are not allowed to bring their firearms home," he added.

"The firearms are withdrawn from the approved armoury for culling operations and they must be returned to the armoury after each operation."

Attempts to contact the SICC on Wednesday were unsuccessful.

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