Wild boars and more
As part of the regional plan of urgent interventions for the management, control and eradication of African swine fever (PRIU), the "Hunter's Day" took place yesterday, Sunday 28 January, in Lagopesole: a moment of discussion and information for all interested parties and, at the same time, the start of containment activities for the species on the territory. The "Lagopesole" forest, located in the countryside of Filiano and Avigliano, is one of the "critical areas" identified by the Regional Plan and constitutes a place of shelter and proliferation of wild boar, as repeatedly reported by citizens and competent authorities.
First edition
The initiative was illustrated by the councilor for agricultural, food and forestry policies of the Basilicata Region, Alessandro Galella: "We are very happy to present the first hunter's day in Basilicata, an event to talk about the current state of hunting policies but above all to look to the future and consider hunting as a great resource available to Lucanians and all enthusiasts". The Emilia Piemontese manager also spoke at the press conference and explained the technical aspects linked to the event and declared: "The day aims to be an encouragement to control activities of the species to avoid damage to agricultural crops and to counter the alarm social deriving from the presence of wild boars in urban and peri-urban areas".
The most sensitive areas
The Fish and Hunting Policies, Wildlife Management and Agro-Environment Office attested to the General Directorate for Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies has identified, in the regional territory of competence, the areas most sensitive to the impact caused by wild boar, providing for the construction of the cartography of the risk areas. In Basilicata the most updated estimate of the number of wild boars currently available is approximately 88.600 units. The objective, as foreseen by ministerial provisions, is the culling of 80 percent of the animals to reduce the population to approximately 17.720 animals. The Regional Plan provides for control/selection interventions which will have to be carried out through culling from fixed stakes or with the rotation method: the rotation is made up of trained operators, in an adequate number, in possession of suitable qualifications and with a qualified dog.
Great satisfaction
The killing method also includes the collective form in which the teams of selective controllers, made up of a minimum of 15 trained hunters, will have to act in the areas where pig farms are located and where the presence of large groups of wild boars has been ascertained, subject to prior communication to the competent bodies. The activities will be conducted in a georeferenced buffer area of the pig farm with a radius of 1.100 metres, covering approximately 380 hectares. As regards the initiative scheduled yesterday in the Lagopesole forest, it should be noted that any other activity has been prohibited, for example collection of undergrowth products, trekking, biking, grazing, wood harvesting, etc.). Satisfaction was expressed by the representatives of the territorial hunting areas and hunting associations for the Region's commitment (source: Basilicata Region).
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