A serious situation
Also the Basilicata has to deal with the wild boar emergency and one of the most affected cities is Matera. It is no coincidence that Mayor Domenico Bennardi is publishing one note after another to point out how serious this situation is. On the Facebook profile of the mayor of Lucania there are various positions taken in this sense.
Mayor's words
In the last few hours Bennardi expressed himself as follows: “We can only resolve the wild boar emergency if we all get together at a table, that's what I asked for in the prefecture, when I say everyone I'm referring above all to those who have the expertise to deal with the issue, there is a regional selective sampling plan for 2022 which lies in the drawers. Throughout the Region and not just ours, the significant increase in the wild boar population creates enormous damage from agriculture, road accidents and potential dangers for children and the elderly in urban contexts. There is also the issue of swine fever so the ASM must also be part of the table. I have called for the implementation of the regional selective capture plan in 2022, 2023 and I renew the invitation again this year. We will talk about it again soon in front of the Prefect".
Other clarifications
Two days earlier the mayor had been even more specific: “After collecting signatures from residents in the populous "Serra Friday" district, who now feel besieged by wild boars present at all hours even in private condominium courtyards, I return for the umpteenth time to urge first the Basilicata Region, then the health authorities and public safety, so that they urgently adopt all the measures necessary to contain what has now become an emergency, also in the city of Sassi. At the last meeting of the Committee for public order and safety in the prefecture, I raised the issue again, explaining that now there is not only a health risk, which has been clear and evident for years, but that for the safety of resident citizens, because wild boars driven by hunger enter everywhere, with very serious risks especially for defenseless children and elderly people. Let's not forget that these animals can also become very aggressive if they see themselves threatened. Therefore, the discussion table with the Region, the Province, the technicians of the Matera Health Authority (ASM) and the police can no longer be postponed, to urgently adopt all possible containment measures, in order to prevent the wild boars from approaching to homes and people. After a recent joint letter with the President of the Province, Piero Marrese, (in Matera, wild boars cause considerable damage to agricultural crops and to cars in transit on provincial roads), I once again remind the Basilicata Region of the precise responsibilities assumed with the adoption , way back in 2018, of the "Plan for selective culling and control of the species", recently renewed in 2022. We are suffering this emergency situation, without the Region doing what is necessary. I urged the prefect to broaden the discussion to include the ASM and the park authority, as well as the Region, Municipality and Province, to focus on a range of possible solutions. We need the expertise of the ASM Veterinary Office, but also a representative from the Region who can explain to us what the selective culling plan is producing. The cages much praised by the Region are not producing the desired effects, so a structured capture and sterilization project is needed".