FLS helps map feral pigs

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has been working with the Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA) on two projects that will improve the management of feral pig populations and act as an early-warning system for disease.

FLS’ Portclair Forest, by Fort Augustus, is a European Observation Point for a feral pig density survey, carried out by APHA’s National Wildlife Management Centre.

In tandem with this and working with NatureScot, a total of nine FLS wildlife rangers (four in North Region and five in South Region) have been APHA-trained to take samples from naturally deceased pigs, as well as animals killed in road traffic accidents, that can be tested for African Swine Fever (ASF). In addition, five NatureScot officers were also APHA trained to ensure coverage over private land.

ASF has never been identified in the UK but has been spreading in Europe in recent years. 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.

Tom Cameron, FLS’ North Region Area Wildlife Manager, said;

“Feral pig control is an issue for all land managers in the affected areas. It is likely to have an increasing impact on our limited resources so it’s imperative that we get as much accurate data as we can to help us plan our management approach. 

“Having colleagues at APHA set up a European Observation Point at Portclair will be a huge help in getting a better grasp of the local situation, as well as contributing to Europe-wide monitoring of pig populations.

“And with feral pigs potentially being vectors for African Swine Fever, it made sense for some of our team to be trained in taking samples from dead pigs that can be used to check for the disease."

Since 1 April this year, FLS rangers have culled a total of 46 feral pigs: 2 in East Region (Moray & Aberdeen), 16 in North Region (Inverness, Ross & Skye), 5 in West Region (Lochaber area), and 23 in South Region (Galloway [19] and Dumfries and Borders [4])

FLS’ professional wildlife staff work in each of the areas of Scotland where feral pigs are known to live and where there is a likelihood of encountering naturally deceased pigs.

Grant Carson, FLS, South region, added;

“We have a duty to monitor the health of these animals and act accordingly.

“We want to do what we can to help and welcome the collaborative working with APHA in the hope that we can establish a system of early indication of infectious diseases arriving in the UK.”

The FLS Rangers, as well as colleagues in NatureScot and Transport Scotland, who are trained in sampling techniques have been appointed by Scottish Government as inspectors under the Animal Health Act 1981 and Diseases of Swine Regulations 2014.

Scotland has localised populations of feral pigs in Lochaber, Dumfries and Galloway, and in Ross-shire, with rough estimates pitching the feral pig population in Scotland at the low thousands level.

The new surveillance programme will gather data that, once analysed, will early next year provide a better supported density estimate for the wild pig population.

Alastair MacGugan, NatureScot Wildlife Management Manager said:

“Controlling feral pigs is essential to help reduce disease risks. NatureScot has published a series of best practice guidance to enable land managers to undertake control and we encourage them to be vigilant for any signs of disease.”

Notes to editors

1. 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.
2. Home - Forestry and Land Scotland | twitter.com/ForestryLS
3. Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 07785 527590 or paul.munro@forestryandland.gov.scot