Hunting at the Boar: Strong increase in the number of animals hunted in 2008 and 2009. The apprehension of those who live in the vicinity of the woods is growing: “Devastated vegetable gardens and gardens”.
Ticino, by its very nature, is an ideal habitat for wild boars. This wild animal is increasingly present in the mountains and forests of the canton. The inhabitants of the areas adjacent to the territories where the herds of wild boars are well aware of this, complaining of damage to crops and gardens.
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The EFSA and ECDC's One Health report - The recent Report of the 2008/2009 hunting season and of game research, drawn up by the Hunting and Fishing Office of the Department of the Territory, speaks clearly. The evolution of damage to ungulates (deer and wild boar) is on the increase in 2008 (1722 culls, compared to 1018 in 2007). Although the deer is the animal that creates the most damage to crops, wild boars are more perceived by the population as a problem. Perhaps because wild boars tend to get closer to homes than other wild species.
The witness - Christian Zocchi lives in the Mezzovico mountains. Wild boars are a big problem for him. "The situation has changed considerably: the wild boar population has increased, if not doubled". Zocchi takes us to the garden and vegetable garden of his home, which bear the traces of the devastation wrought by wild boars. “These animals come down at dusk to feed on roots, tubers or bulbs” Deep holes, dug by the tusks of wild boars, dot the lawn.
The damages - Zocchi is not the only one to whom these herds of animals, in search of food, have destroyed the garden. Other readers have reported similar situations, in which wild boars have turned the cultivated land, feeding on newly planted seeds. An economic damage, in addition to the regret of seeing hours of work wasted. "Speaking of costs" Zocchi always declares "putting a lawn back in order properly is always an expense that is around a thousand francs, between material and hours of work". In 2006, the damage caused to crops by ungulates (not only by wild boars, therefore) amounted to 250.000 francs.
Countermeasures - Citizens, as a remedy for the devastation caused by wild boars on their properties, often adopt the laying of metal fences as a remedy. What is being done at the cantonal level to keep wild boars under control? Further information obtained from the Hunting and Fishing Office states that no extraordinary hunting trips are scheduled, and the situation is regulated through the classic channels of seasonal hunting and targeted interventions. “2008 saw an increase in the number of culled animals, and this is partly due to the heavy snowfalls, which facilitated winter hunting. Outside the hunting period, permits are assigned which are classified under the field keeper ".
Guardiaampicoltura - There are three levels of hunting: high hunting in September, that in December and January, and field keeper. What is it about? These are targeted interventions, carried out in the presence of damage, repeated throughout the year by wild boars. After reporting severe damage, the hunting and fishing office gives a mandate to a hunter to check that area from a fixed position, and for a few evenings he takes his place. In case of arrival of wild boars, the hunter is authorized to shoot. The situation, in the first half of 2009, sees a large number of culls attributable to the foreman. Despite the high number of catches in the winter, the presence of wild boar is felt, so much so that the number of catches is growing strongly. The reports, in the last period, have grown especially in the Lugano area. Phenomenon that can be explained by what has been happening lately in neighboring Italy.
Hunting in Italy - In the province of Como, extraordinary jokes have recently been organized, to try to keep the number of garments under control. It cannot be ruled out that some group of wild boars may pass into Ticino territory, fleeing from Italian hunters.
Near the houses - Are wild boars increasingly insidious? Christian Zocchi, who now lives daily with these animals, gives a couple of tips. “The wild boar is a wild animal, so usually at the sight of man it tends to run away. The only thing you should never, ever do, is groped to approach a baby, because 90% of the mother is nearby. A charge of a wild boar is absolutely not pleasant ”. On the other hand, the hunting and fishing office tends to minimize the presence of animals around the houses. This is mostly justified by the search for food, and it is not a change of habit of this species, usually quite fearful of man.
Source: Passion Hunt - Ticino Online