More than 20 feral pigs culled across south of Scotland since April

More than 20 feral pigs have been culled across the south of Scotland since April in an effort to manage their populations and prevent the spread of diseases. Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) and the Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA) have collaborated on two schemes focused on improving feral pig management and establishing an early-warning system for diseases. Since April, FLS rangers have culled 46 feral pigs in Scotland, with 19 in Galloway and four in the Dumfries and borders region.

In response to concerns about African swine fever spreading in Europe, FLS rangers in the south of Scotland have been trained by APHA to test pigs for the disease. Although African swine fever has not been identified in the UK, there is a medium risk of it arriving. Grant Carson, a ranger, emphasized the importance of monitoring the health of feral pigs and collaborating with APHA to detect infectious diseases early.

Dumfries and Galloway is one of three areas in Scotland where feral pigs are believed to reside, with the national population estimated to be in the low thousands. A new surveillance programme is underway to collect data that will help estimate the wild pig population density more accurately by early next year.

The collaborative efforts of FLS and APHA in culling feral pigs and monitoring their health underscore the importance of wildlife management and disease prevention in Scotland. By working together, these organisations are taking proactive steps to safeguard both animal populations and public health in the region.

In summary, Forestry and Land Scotland along with the Animal Plant Health Agency have culled over 20 feral pigs in the south of Scotland since April to manage populations and prevent disease spread. The collaborative efforts highlight the importance of wildlife management and early disease detection. The ongoing surveillance programme aims to provide a more accurate estimate of the feral pig population density in Dumfries and Galloway.