A group of feral pigs spotted roaming the Cairngorms National Park has been captured and humanely culled, according to Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS). The incident has sparked concern over illegal animal releases in the area, following a similar case involving lynx just weeks earlier.
The Discovery Near Uath Lochans
The pigs were first seen on Monday near Uath Lochans, a picturesque woodland area with small lochs near Kingussie, south of Aviemore. Their presence raised alarms among conservation authorities and local land managers.
The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) stated that the pigs appeared to be “relatively domesticated” and had likely been illegally abandoned. This discovery came just weeks after four lynx were released in the same park, one of which did not survive capture.
Capture and Culling Decision
FLS confirmed that eight pigs were captured and subsequently culled, citing concerns over their status as a non-native species and their potential impact on agriculture and the environment.
- The pigs were moved to an FLS-managed site before culling.
- The decision was made in consultation with veterinarians and Police Scotland.
- Current Scottish government guidance advises controlling feral pig populations to prevent ecological and agricultural damage.
Although a photograph taken earlier in the week appeared to show nine animals, FLS clarified that only eight pigs were found and captured.
Response from Landowners and Conservationists
Scottish Land and Estates (SLE), which represents rural businesses, condemned the release as “reckless” and urged anyone with information to contact the authorities.
Ross Ewing, SLE’s director of moorland, linked the incident to the recent illegal lynx release, stating, “Those responsible for these incidents show little concern for the welfare of the species they release or the serious impacts they could have.”
The presence of free-roaming feral pigs is not new in Scotland, with populations already established in Dumfries and Galloway and parts of the Highlands.
The Spread of Feral Pigs in Scotland
Wild boar were once native to Scotland but were hunted to extinction around 700 years ago. In recent years, free-roaming pigs have reappeared, often due to farm escapes or illegal releases. NatureScot, Scotland’s nature agency, identifies these animals as hybrids—mixes of domestic pigs and wild boar.
Scotland is now estimated to have several thousand feral pigs, with concerns growing over their environmental impact, particularly on agriculture and native wildlife.
Authorities continue to investigate who may have released the pigs in the Cairngorms and are urging the public to report any further sightings or suspicious activities.
