Concerns raised after a wild boar herd appears in the Highlands, fueling worries about deliberate release and disease risks.
Wild boar used to live in Scotland long ago. People hunted them until they were gone in the thirteenth century. They reappeared in the twentieth century after escaping farms or being deliberately released. Now, about 5,000 roam free.
These animals are likely pig and boar mixes, mostly farm pigs now wild. Locals spotted nine boar on a forest path. Boar usually don’t attack people, but they can weigh 100kg and be dangerous.
Attacks are rare but happen sometimes. It’s usually if they feel threatened, cornered, or when moms protect piglets. The boar also might not fear people and could spread diseases to livestock.
Bovine TB, foot and mouth, and swine fever are concerns. A local group spoke out about the boar and the recent lynx release. They are concerned about who is doing this and fear disease risks for animals and people.
The boar can damage farms and crofts, they added. Boar root around digging up pasture areas and ruin hay fields and growing crops. Newly planted fields are especially at risk. Rooting damages soil and spreads weeds.
They also can damage fences, letting livestock escape. Scottish agencies lack a clear boar policy, so land managers must handle the issue themselves. NatureScot calls them “wild pigs” because they are hybrids.
A local vet spoke about health worries, listing African swine fever as a major threat. It is in Europe and getting closer to the UK. Wild pigs could spread it quickly. Foot and mouth disease is also a risk.
These pigs might carry TB, spreading the disease to badgers, then cows. TB can infect humans, as can Leptospirosis. Pigs carry this disease too; plus, Trichinella is a zoonotic concern. Wild boar can attack dogs and maybe people.
Forestry and Land Scotland knows about the boar. They move between Inshriach Forest and Wildland land. They are working to capture the animals, then they’ll decide what to do next.