Italy destroys wild boars invading Rome

The Italian government is planning to eradicate the wild boar population raging in Rome after detecting an individual with African swine fever.

Around Rome, it's not uncommon to see hairy wild boars running through trash cans or wandering the streets. Although most people have adjusted themselves to living with wild boar, the situation is getting worse and worse. Some animals now carry infectious diseases and injure many people.

The Italian government is planning to eradicate the wild boar population after at least one individual was found positive for African swine fever in the Insugherata nature reserve this week. Two other pigs from the same area are likely to also test positive. This disease does not threaten humans. But that doesn't mean they're safe from wild boar. In recent months, authorities have received many reports of pigs attacking people. In a few places north of Rome, the city banned outdoor picnics, and some neighborhoods even imposed curfews to prevent pigs from coming into contact with people.

Wild boars blatantly walking in the middle of the city.

This is the first time African swine fever has been recorded in wild boar near Rome. About 2.3 million wild boars roam around Italy, 20,000 live in Rome. Although African swine fever is not contagious to humans, it can infect commercial pigs raised for meat.

The domestic pig is descended from wild boar, an animal native to Europe and Asia. Wild boar populations have increased over the past few decades due to high reproductive rates and a lack of predators, combined with the effects of climate change, reforestation efforts and activity, the researchers say. hunting reduced. In addition to threatening livestock farmers, wild boar also injured residents. Marta Santangelo was attacked by a mother pig and her seven young while walking her dog and taking out the trash at 11pm. Though Santangelo tried to run away, she tripped and the wild boar aimed at her head. A passerby drove Santangelo to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries.