There were 800 fewer wild boars shot in Limburg last year. In 2021, there was a record of 3,385 wild boars shot in Flanders, reports Het Belang van Limburg.
Specialists at the Institute for Nature and Forest Research (INBO) are unsure as to why there has been such a drastic decline. One reason could be the method by which the boars are hunted. The common method practised when hunting wild boars involves sitting and waiting for the hog to get within shooting range.
There is not a decrease in the number of wild boars, in fact, the number of boars increases every year. This means that there must be a different reason for the decrease according to INBO spokesperson.
"The decrease is certain, because all the figures are in. But it is certainly not possible to decide that there are fewer pigs. It is unclear what is going on," says Koen Van Muylem, spokesperson at INBO.
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Wild boars are often hunted because they destroy farmlands and crops and they spread diseases to other animals and people.
Last year, Jolien Wevers, the Flemish wild boar coordinator had proposed preventative measures in order to keep the wild boars away form specific landscapes. Now, researchers would like to know what measures were taken.
INBO had conducted a survey to see what is measures have been taken in the field. The survey is anonymous and has been distributed throughout Flanders. The survey is intended for those who have been impacted by the issue. The survey can be taken until 31 March.
