Badenoch releases ‘a risk to livestock, wildlife, even humans’
Farmers and crofters have reacted furiously to yesterday’s apparently illegal release of more wild animals in an area of Badenoch just outside Kingussie.
As the Strathy reported last night, a number of wild boar have been found roaming in woods and on the public roads in the Insh and Glenfeshie areas - exactly a month after four lynx were released in much the same area.
Today a sighting came too from woodland near Kincraig.
The newly-formed Cairngorm Crofters and Farmers Community released a statement to the Strathy this afternoon highlighting the dangers of such action: “At a time when rewilding efforts in the Cairngorms should be built on trust and collaboration, these reckless releases are completely alienating the crofting and farming community.”
Within weeks of the illegal release of four lynx in woodlands near Kingussie, an estimated 20 feral pigs (wild boar) have now been dumped nearby.
“One has to wonder what on earth is going on – and who is behind these highly irresponsible releases,” said Robert Macdonald, on behalf of fellow members of the Community.
Wild boar were once native to Scotland but were hunted to extinction by the 13th century.
Since the 20th century, however, they have reappeared due to farm escapes and deliberate releases. Hybridisation with domestic pigs has now led to a mix of true wild boar and feral pigs.
“Not knowing the source of these released animals, The Cairngorms Crofters & Farmers Community is extremely concerned that they could pose a significant disease risk to livestock, wildlife, and even humans.
“Diseases such as bovine tuberculosis (bTB), foot-and-mouth disease, and leptospirosis could have devastating consequences for Scotland’s farming community.
“And, as has been evidenced elsewhere in Scotland, these creatures can cause serious problems for crofts and farms – particularly in areas like the Cairngorms where livestock and arable farming are common.
Their rooting behaviour destroys pasture, hay fields, and crops such as barley and oats, with newly planted fields being especially vulnerable. On grazing land, their rooting disturbs the soil, reducing the quality of grazing land and increasing the spread of weeds.
“They also damage fences, allowing sheep and cattle to escape, causing further losses for crofters and farmers.”
In terms of human safety, while wild boar and feral pigs are not usually aggressive, they can be dangerous in certain situations, and although attacks are rare they do happen, particularly if the animals feel threatened or cornered, or a sow is protecting her piglets, or they have become habituated to human presence.
Mr Macdonald stressed “Years of careful dialogue with rewilding organisations are now being rapidly eroded by such irresponsible actions. Unfortunately there is currently no national strategy for managing Scotland’s wild boar populations, leaving land managers such as ourselves to deal with the consequences on our own.
“Our members are deeply concerned and utterly condemn these unlawful releases.
“Those responsible are doing real harm to both farmers and conservation efforts alike, and we call upon all organisations involved in rewilding within the Cairngorms National Park to help Police Scotland find the culprits behind these recent releases, and prevent any further activity.”
The Strathy has contacted both Highland Police and the CNPA for comment.
