PhD Research aims to build model of feral pig population
A new PhD research programme is looking to gather data that will help to better understand the feral pig population in Scotland and to help with development of future management strategies.
Investigating the role that the animals could have on the transmission and control of African Swine Fever were the disease to arrive in Scotland, the research focus will be on the habits, disease risk and size of the feral pig population in the north of Scotland.
Phase 1 will focus on three Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) sites – and neighbouring land holdings – within the Great Glen area where feral pig populations are known to exist.
The second phase of survey work will concentrate on areas where the presence of feral pigs is mostly anecdotal, with a view to confirming the presence or absence of the animals.
Penny Jack, University of Glasgow PhD student with the School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, is leading the research. Penny said;
“Feral pigs populations appear to be increasing in Scotland.
“A robust picture of the feral pig population is necessary to be able to plan for the future, but currently not much is known about the population of these animals beyond some citizen science sightings, which isn’t sufficiently robust intelligence.
“Thankfully, African swine fever is not yet present in the UK. However, were the disease to emerge, feral pigs could contribute to its spread, which could make the economic impact of the disease far more wide-reaching than would otherwise be the case.
“The data we gather will be used to underpin population models, disease risk maps, disease transmission models and to inform management strategies.”
Information gathered by camera traps and boots-on-the-ground survey work will provide as broad an understanding of pig habits and movements as is possible.
Over a period of six months, with a potential further six-month surveying if required, data will be gathered from a 48 square km grid of camera traps in prime areas. This will be supplemented by the findings from on-the-ground surveys looking for signs of feral pig activity.
The research will give a fuller picture of where the animals are, the sorts of habitats that they prefer, how many there are and also the numbers of males, females and piglets that make up groups. It might also help to determine likely migration routes as animals range further afield from populated areas.
The project has been reviewed by the University of Glasgow School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine Ethics Committee, and is funded as a NorthWest Bio BBSRC PhD project.
FLS Area Wildlife Manager, Tom Cameron, said;
“Feral pigs are an increasing management, control and disease risk issue for all land managers in the affected areas across Scotland.
“Resource pressure is something that we all feel so it is important that we establish a solid evidence base to guide policy and practise development.
“This research is a great step forward for a coordinated approach to managing their numbers.”
Feral pigs can cause significant damage to agricultural land and sensitive habitats – rooting around in fields and gardens, damaging fencing and infrastructure.
Although no attacks have yet been reported, members of the public should not feed or encourage feral pigs. When walking in areas where pigs are known to be present, they should always keep dogs under close control particularly in the breeding season and there are likely to be litters (between February and May).
Members of the public can also help gather data by recording sightings online.
Notes to editors
- Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.
- Wild boars were historically present in the UK, including in Scotland, becoming extinct at some stage before the 17th Century. In the last 30 years, populations of wild boar/feral pigs have become re-established in Scotland.
- ASF has never been identified in the UK but has been spreading in Europe in recent years, particularly in wild boar populations. It affects domestic and wild pigs but not humans. There is thought to be a ‘medium’ risk of its arrival in the UK. The disease has a high socio-economic impact and poses a severe threat to animal welfare and productivity.
- Media enquiries to media@forestryandland.gov.scot