A wild boar, which prowled through a residential district in the southern city of Krakow, has been killed by hunters after a chase lasting several hours.

The animal seriously injured two men, both who have been hospitalised.

The boar was spotted in the area several days ago. The animals are a common sight in the suburbs of Krakow, but until now have not posed any threat to people.

The hunting association in Krakow says that it controls the population of boars in the vicinity of the city, some culling 70 to 90 annually. This however was the first case of killing an animal in broad daylight.

Hunters explain they had to resort to such  methods since it is almost impossible to put a boar to sleep. Boars are not a protected species in Poland, add the hunters and if they pose a threat to humans drastic steps have to be taken.  (ab)