Scotland’s feral pigs are now under increased surveillance due to concerns about the spread of African swine fever (ASF), a potentially fatal disease for pigs. While ASF does not affect humans, its presence in wildlife could have significant consequences for the UK’s pig farming industry. Wildlife rangers, alongside other public sector staff, have been trained to monitor the health of these free-roaming animals and report any disease signs to prevent an outbreak.
Feral Pigs and ASF Risk
ASF has been spreading through mainland Europe in recent years, and experts are concerned about its potential arrival in the UK, particularly through non-commercial imports of meat. Scotland is thought to have a few thousand feral pigs, which are free-roaming and difficult to monitor as thoroughly as domestic pigs.
Wildlife rangers and staff from organizations like NatureScot, Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), and the Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA) have been trained to collect samples from dead pigs—whether those found dead of natural causes, hit by vehicles, or culled in disease control efforts. The samples are sent for testing to identify any signs of ASF.
Feral Pig Population and Management
Feral pigs in Scotland are primarily found in Dumfries and Galloway and the Highlands. These populations have emerged over the past decade, partly due to the escape of pigs from farms or illegal releases. The pigs include hybrids—crossbreeds of wild boar and domestic pigs—which have become increasingly common in the wild.
NatureScot has referred to these animals as feral pigs, noting that they can be a mixture of boar and domesticated pigs due to interbreeding. Wild boar, the pig’s ancestor, were once native to Scotland but were hunted to extinction about 700 years ago.
Monitoring and Culling Efforts
Since April, FLS rangers have culled a total of 46 feral pigs across various regions of Scotland:
- Two in north-east Scotland
- 21 in the Highlands
- 23 in Dumfries and Galloway / Scottish Borders
FLS rangers have been trained by the APHA to ensure that any pigs found dead are tested for signs of ASF. Additionally, the FLS is conducting a survey of feral pig populations in the Portclair Forest near Fort Augustus, located in the Great Glen area of the Highlands. This area has seen an increasing presence of the pigs in recent years.
Collaboration and Disease Prevention
Grant Carson, from FLS’s southern region, emphasized the importance of monitoring the health of these animals and taking swift action if ASF or any other diseases are detected. The aim is to establish an early warning system to prevent any new infectious diseases from entering the UK through wildlife.
Alastair MacGugan, a wildlife management manager at NatureScot, stressed that controlling the feral pig population is key to minimizing the risks of disease spread. He also highlighted best practice guidelines published by NatureScot to aid land managers in effectively managing feral pig populations.
The Importance of Vigilance
The rise in feral pig numbers in Scotland and the ongoing risk of ASF mean that Scotland’s wildlife authorities and public sector workers must remain vigilant. The collaborative efforts between FLS, NatureScot, and APHA are a crucial step in reducing the potential health risks associated with the spread of ASF and ensuring the health of Scotland’s domestic and wild pig populations.
