Moroccans have been preoccupied in recent hours with a widely circulated video of a Moroccan woman feeding a group of wild boars that gathered outside her home in the city of Essaouira. In the video, the woman appears to be feeding the animals by hand as if they were pets she had raised herself, seemingly unaware of the potential danger of being attacked. She scattered food along the road without showing any fear, while the boars approached her and began eating what she threw before leaving.
These scenes have caused a divide among Moroccans, with some praising the woman's actions, discussing the possibility of coexistence between humans and wild boars, while others viewed it as a serious threat to residents due to the inherently aggressive nature of these animals.
In response, activist Mohamed Heilan wrote, "Respect and appreciation to this free woman, who takes it upon herself to feed a large number of wild boars that come to her daily and live near her home. This woman believes that these innocent creatures will not harm her or anyone else, unless acted upon by humans, considering them as animals like all others created by God wisely."
Another activist, Aziz Bennour, stated that boars "are not aggressive or predatory creatures as some believe, contrary to what is portrayed. There is a peaceful relationship between them and humans." However, he warned of their dangers, especially when they damage farmers' crops in search of food.
On the other hand, blogger Mohamed Lebriki pointed out the threat that these boars, roaming the streets and residential areas in herds and consuming vegetation, pose to people's lives and property. He argued that "feeding them is a mistaken practice, as it will increase their numbers and make them take cities as a place to live."
This comes as wild boars have invaded the Moroccan city of Essaouira in recent months, roaming freely in its streets and urban areas, despite efforts by authorities to limit their presence, amid fears of accidents and attacks on residents, leading to calls for strict measures.
