Scotland Implements Disease Monitoring for Feral Pig Populations

Monitoring efforts are underway in Scotland concerning its feral pig populations for African swine fever (ASF), a disease prevalent across mainland Europe. While ASF poses no risk to humans, it is lethal to pigs, raising worries about its potential introduction to the UK through non-commercial meat imports. Scotland’s feral pig population is estimated to be in the thousands. Due to their free-roaming nature, these animals cannot undergo the same health examinations as domesticated pigs. Public sector employees, including wildlife rangers, have received training to collect samples from deceased pigs for disease testing. Although wild boar are indigenous to Scotland, they were hunted to extinction approximately 700 years ago. Nevertheless, over the past decade or so, populations of free-roaming pigs have become established in the regions of Dumfries and Galloway and the Highlands. NatureScot, Scotland’s nature agency, designates these animals as feral pigs, noting that they encompass hybrids resulting from the interbreeding of boar and domestic pigs. These populations consist of animals that have either escaped from farms or been unlawfully released into the wild. The Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA) has trained nine rangers from Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) to collect samples from pigs that have died from natural causes, been killed on roads, or culled. Additionally, certain personnel at Transport Scotland and NatureScot have undergone this training. FLS is also collaborating with APHA on a survey targeting feral pigs within Portclair Forest, situated near Fort Augustus. This forest is located in the Great Glen, a part of the Highlands known for its pig populations. Since April, FLS rangers have culled 46 feral pigs. The locations were: Grant Carson, representing FLS’s south region, stated: “We have a duty to monitor the health of these animals and act accordingly.” He further added: “We want to do what we can to help and welcome the collaborative working with APHA in the hope that we can establish a system of early indication of infectious diseases arriving in the UK.” Alastair MacGugan, NatureScot’s wildlife management manager, commented: “Controlling feral pigs is essential to help reduce disease risks. “NatureScot has published a series of best practice guidance to enable land managers to undertake control and we encourage them to be vigilant for any signs of disease.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.