From Monday 18 May the capture of wild boars in the area of Euganean Hills Park. We will start from the south area, in particular from Val Calaona. This was announced by the president of the same body, Massimo Campagnolo. The activity had greatly reduced due to the coronavirus; during the quarantine, also thanks to the drought, the ungulates went as far as the plain to look for water, causing considerable damage to crops with their passage. As for the numbers of culls recorded in 2019, in the Park 1.679 were captured (864 male and 815 female specimens); until 30 April this year, however, 135 (63 males and 72 females).
According to the latest data, there are still 10.000 on the Hills that roam undisturbed: their massive presence is potentially harmful to crops and yields. The authorized selecontrollers will move in small groups, a maximum of one couple at a time, consisting of two or three people. The killing will take place at night and on pre-established days. Numerous sampling points have been identified in the area which are constantly updated and implemented following inspections and careful evaluations by the operators. One of the main aspects to consider, given the use of firearms at night, is the certainty of operating in maximum safety. Trap-cages represent another tool aimed at catching.
The distribution of these varies over time according to the need for intervention, while the installation is carefully analyzed case by case. Outside the Park area, the responsibility for containment lies with the Province, through the provincial police staff (six dedicated employees in all). “In the last period - observes the president, Fabio Bui - there have been reports of wild boars in the area between Ospedaletto Euganeo and Este. Our staff shot down about thirty. We will continue in this direction, all the more so now that Phase 1 of the health emergency is over ”. Cia-Agricoltori Italiani Padova has always strongly requested, in the appropriate places, the control of wild boars in order to safeguard agricultural entrepreneurs. "The fact that the activity of the selecontrollers resumes - explains the director of Cia Padova, Maurizio Antonini- gives us hope. These are operations that we believe are indispensable for the good of those who work the land and, indirectly, of all citizens ”.
However, he points out, "we are still in the midst of the emergency, with incalculable damage to agricultural plots: in one night they blow months and months of sacrifices. If we then consider that there has just been the reproduction, usually the female specimen gives birth between 6 and 10 puppies, the situation becomes dramatic from every point of view ”. The director Antonini also underlines that Palazzo Santo Stefano has given maximum availability to intervene outside the boundaries of the Park: “In this way, the farmers of the plains are also protected. We are called to carry out a team effort with the sole objective of achieving the result, that is, the continuous monitoring of areas suited to agriculture ". Finally, the president of Cia Padova, Roberto Betto, notes that “these animals have shown that they are particularly fond of corn seedlings as they are rich in water; they nibble them, nullifying their work lowland farmers. Monitoring is a duty ".