A BRITISH woman tossed in the air and mauled by a wild boar believes she was saved from serious injuries when her dogs chased the animal off.

The expat resident, who lives near Yesiltepe, who declined to be named, spoke to Voices from her hospital bed after the frightening incident on Tuesday (June 14) at around 7.30am.

She was attacked in an olive grove close to her home by a “big wild boar”. She added: “The boar just suddenly ran at me and threw me in the air, and used their big tusks to cause massive gores to my right leg.

“My dogs really did come to my rescue and probably saved my life. They chased the boar away.”

She was able to raise the alarm and was treated at Didim State Hospital for injuries to her right leg. “I had an emergency operation at Didim Hospital. The hospital has been fantastic and the surgeon was amazing. I am in a lot of pain, but wıll heal.”

The victim’s leg injuries

She warned other dog walkers and residents to be aware of the dangers of wild boars in and around the area.

This incident comes just days after a Didim municipal worker was caught on camera feeding several wild boars by hand in Didim.

Wild boars are frequently seen in Didim, especially in Akbuk Neighborhood, and come into the city centre during summer periods and enter housing estates to feed.

Wild boar families also provide picture opportunities as they regularly roam Dilek National Park, but the latest incident serves as a reminder to be wary of these animals, which according to some websites, can grow to as big as 300 kg and have tusks with a length of 23-24 cm.

How to Survive a Wild Boar Attack and What to do

• Remain calm.
• Keep a safe distance.
• Slowly back away from the wild boar.
• If you have time, try to reach higher ground such as a boulder, car, possibly even climb a tree. This might be hard to apply due to the closeness and speed of a wild boar surprise charge.
• When attacked, keep your footing. Try sidestepping quickly to avoid being swung by its tusks.
• If all the above fails, fight back with whatever available at hand (sticks, your bare hands,) until mauling ends.
• Even when attacked, try to keep your standing position by all means as you can suffer greater injuries once down.

How to Prevent a Wild Boar Attack and What to Do

• Do not approach them, under any circumstances; adult boars with piglets are strikingly more sensitive and dangerous, therefore, they should be avoided at all costs.
• Likewise, refrain from feeding them under any circumstances.
• Under no circumstance corner them or provoke them in any way.