The regional government of Liguria has recently approved an organizational plan to address the problem of wild boar depopulation in the region. This initiative was proposed by the vice president with responsibility for Agriculture and Hunting, Alessandro Piana, in order to intensify control actions on the territory. According to what was explained by Vice President Piana, the objective is to appoint the Ambiti Territoriali di Caccia (ATC), in collaboration with legally authorized and adequately trained hunters in terms of biological safety, to organize and implement increasingly targeted control activities against wild boars in restriction zones I (which include municipalities bordering the infected zone) and in zones II (which include municipalities within the infected zone). These activities will be carried out in agreement with the Region and the competent ASLs, in compliance with current legislation and under the supervision of the Extraordinary Commissioner Caputo.
This plan will take into consideration the subdivision of the territory into hunting areas and the composition of the teams in force for the 2022/2023 hunting season. As regards areas unsuitable for hunting, specific agreements will be made with the competent regional authority in case of need. It is important to underline that the interventions of the regional wildlife-environmental supervisory unit will continue in urban areas and protected areas.
The foremen and ATCs will undertake to provide the Region with weekly reports on the quantities of wild boars killed, based on the indications provided by the authorities in charge of wildlife and health control. This approach aims to ensure maximum transparency and the ability to respond promptly to African swine fever (ASF) related health and public safety needs.
With the implementation of this new wild boar control strategy, Liguria is committed to countering the depopulation of this animal species, ensuring a balance between the presence of wild boars and the needs of the local community.