Another person has been injured by a wild boar trap on the hills near West Lake. Around 9 a.m. yesterday, a female hiker was caught in a wild boar trap on the back hill of Shangtianzhu.
After arriving at the scene, firefighters found a hiking trail on the right side of Shangtianzhu and quickly ran up the mountain along the stone steps.
After running about 300 meters, the stone steps ended. Beyond that was a tea plantation with very steep terrain.
The firefighters first crossed the tea plantation, then entered a dense grove of small trees, and after moving forward another fifty or sixty meters, they saw a group of about 20 people—men and women—in the woods. The person caught in the trap was an auntie in her 50s, a local from Hangzhou.
The auntie was wearing a checkered sun hat, blue sportswear, and specialized hiking shoes. The wild boar trap had clamped her left leg, and there was no visible blood on the outside.
Although her leg was tightly trapped, the auntie remained relatively calm. Her companions said they were all part of the same hiking group that organizes weekend climbing activities. Each time, they hike a different mountain. They hadn’t expected something like this to happen so early in the climb.
The firefighters initially tried to cut the trap open with bolt cutters, but the auntie said it hurt as soon as they started. So, they switched to using a spreader, and within just five minutes, the wild boar trap was pried open.
An ambulance doctor who had been waiting nearby examined the auntie. Fortunately, she only suffered minor skin injuries and was eventually helped down the mountain with the support of others.
It is understood that in recent years, the ecological environment in the West Lake scenic area has been improving. Especially in autumn and winter, wild boars are often seen in the hills, and some people have placed wild boar traps there. According to fire department statistics in the scenic area, during this time of year, incidents of tourists being accidentally injured by wild boar traps occur frequently, with several reports received each month.
Firefighters say that wild boar traps are usually placed in hard-to-spot bushes. When hiking up or down the mountain, it’s best to stick to marked trails and avoid wandering into bushes to prevent accidental trapping.
If caught in a wild boar trap, do not struggle frantically, as this will cause the trap to tighten further. It’s best to use a rock or sturdy branch to wedge between the trap’s side rings. If you have companions, they can help lift the injured person off the ground, step on the rings, and try to pull the leg out.
The best approach is to call the police immediately and have firefighters come with professional rescue equipment. Due to the mountainous terrain and poor signal in the scenic area, those reporting the incident should clearly describe the exact location to reduce rescue time.