More than 20 feral pigs have been culled across the south of Scotland since April, with Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) and the Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA) joining forces to manage the feral pig populations. In a bid to improve management and establish an early-warning system for diseases, these two organisations have been actively working on two schemes.
Since April, FLS rangers have culled a total of 46 feral pigs across Scotland. Out of these, 19 were in Galloway, with an additional four in the Dumfries and borders region. Five FLS rangers from the south of Scotland have undergone training by APHA to test pigs that have either died naturally or been culled for diseases like African swine fever. While this disease has not been identified in the UK, there is a “medium” risk of it entering the country from Europe.
Grant Carson, a ranger, highlighted the importance of monitoring the health of these feral pigs and acting swiftly in response. He emphasised the collaboration with APHA to establish an early indication system for any infectious diseases that may pose a threat to the UK. Dumfries and Galloway are among the regions in Scotland believed to have feral pig populations, with estimations suggesting that there are low thousands of these wild pigs across the country.
The implementation of a new surveillance programme aims to collect data that will support a more accurate estimation of the wild pig population density. The analysis of this data is set to provide a better insight into the feral pig population early next year. This initiative signifies a proactive approach to managing wildlife populations and safeguarding the ecosystem.
In summary, the collaborative efforts between FLS and APHA to cull feral pigs in the south of Scotland demonstrate a proactive approach to wildlife management and disease prevention. By implementing two schemes and training rangers to test for diseases, these organisations are working towards establishing an early-warning system for potential infectious diseases. The surveillance programme aims to provide valuable data to support a more accurate estimation of the feral pig population density, contributing to better wildlife management strategies in the region.