February 10th 2025.
In the past, Scotland was home to wild boar, but sadly, they were driven to extinction due to excessive hunting and the destruction of their natural habitat. However, a recent sighting of around 20 feral pigs in the woodlands of Cairngorms National Park has sparked concerns among rangers. It is believed that these pigs were deliberately released into the park.
Local farmers' group expressed their worries about the potential risks these animals could pose to the environment and livestock. They fear that diseases like bovine tuberculosis, foot-and-mouth disease, and leptospirosis could spread among the animals and even humans. While wild boar and feral pigs are not usually aggressive, they can become dangerous in certain situations.
This incident follows the illegal release of four lynx in the same park last month, one of which unfortunately died shortly after being recaptured. The Cairngorms National Park Authority suspects that the pigs were also released illegally. Furthermore, they have observed that the animals seem to be relatively tame, as if they were once domesticated.
It is worth noting that wild boar were once widespread in Scotland, but their population dwindled in the 13th century due to human activities. However, in recent years, there have been occasional sightings of their descendants in the countryside. It is believed that these animals either escaped from captivity or were released intentionally. The park authorities are now working to safely round up the feral pigs and prevent any further harm to the environment or other animals in the area.
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