Wild boar and hybrids

Photo credit: ©Richard Bartz

Habitat:

• Wild boar and hybrids live in agricultural areas, coastland, natural forests, planted forests, range/grasslands, riparian zones, ruderal/disturbed, scrub/shrublands, urban areas, and wetlands.

Description:

• Wild boar and hybrids are large omnivorous mammals with powerful bodies and coarse hairy coats. Their thick necks, wedge-shaped heads and mobile snouts are used in feeding to uproot the ground and find prey or plant material.

Origin and Distribution:

• Wild boar and hybrids became extinct in Ireland in prehistoric times. In modern day Ireland, this species could pose a serious threat to biodiversity, human health and safety and economic activities. This species is present in many parts of Europe, including Britain.
• This species is also invasive in many parts of the world and has been nominated as among the 100 of the World's Worst Invasive Species due to its impacts. See here for more information.

Impacts:

• Like other introduced mammals, wild boar are major drivers of ecosystem change. They have been introduced into many parts of the world, and are known to damage crops, gardens, amenity areas as well as potentially spreading disease. They uproot large areas of land, eliminating native vegetation and spreading weeds. This results in habitat alteration, a change in plant succession and composition and a decrease in native fauna dependent on the original habitat

• It has been found in Northern Ireland.
• More distribution information can be found at NBN Atlas NI.

How might it get here?

• Importing these species is the only viable pathway of introduction. Therefore, the main pathways into Northern Ireland will be through the main ports of entry (by sea or by air). Importation of this species maybe allowed under licence but illegal smuggling is also a possibility.

• Do not introduce wild boar to Northern Ireland.
• Report all sightings.