A hiker at Mount Apo, the Philippines’ tallest mountain at 9,692 feet, learned an important lesson about wild animals after an unexpected encounter.
Several hiking groups saw a wild pig near the trail and decided to approach it. Some gave it food, while others took pictures. At first, the animal seemed calm, but things quickly changed.
One of the hikers, curious about the pig, tried to touch it. However, as a wild animal, it reacted differently than a pet would. Feeling threatened, the pig suddenly attacked. The incident was recorded and shared on Facebook by The Strolling Mind, a page owned by video creator Kim dela Calzada.
She explained that the hiker was not seriously hurt. “He was safe, but his jacket was ripped during the attack,” she wrote.
Later, dela Calzada shared a follow-up post. The hiker, Rivera Ronel, said he was only trying to pick up trash near the pig when it turned on him. He apologized for the incident and said he hoped it would serve as a lesson.
“I hope this will be a reminder to me and my fellow hikers to be more careful in these situations,” he said.
After the video spread online, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Davao Region (DENR-Davao) reminded hikers to be responsible in nature.
“We urge trekkers and climbers to keep a safe distance from wild animals and avoid provoking them,” the agency wrote in a Facebook post.
They also warned people against feeding wildlife. “Do not feed them, as this can make them lose their natural ability to find food,” they added. “If you see them, let them be.”
Wild animals behave differently from pets, and this encounter was a clear example. Respecting their space is important for both their safety and yours.
