Germany: Wild Boars Love Climate Change Increase Population

Wild boars in Germany are increasing their population quickly. They are doing so in close conjunction with climate warming. The increased temperatures spur the chestnut and oak trees to produce more delicious, to pigs, seeds. Changes in agricultural practises in Germany have also led to greater food supply for the porkers.

The large scale production of maize(corn) and rapeseed(canola) has set a feast for the wild boars. A group of them can be munching in the centre of a large field and not be detected.

According to der Spiegel there are up to 2.5 million of the swine roaming Germany and populations are increasing in France, Poland, Netherlands and eastern European countries. Some areas of Texas are also reporting population bursts and some areas of BC's Fraser Valley are populated by the wild hogs.

The wild boars are hunted for meat in Germany but at the same time are respected for their high intelligence and courage. They have created problems in some urban areas. Berlin is reputed to have upwards of 10 000 in the city. They become habituated to people and may become aggressive beggars. The boars' razor sharp tusks present formidable weapons.

Greenpeace International mentions that some of the wild boars of Germany still carry a radioactive burden resulting from the 1986 Chernobyl power plant explosion and that the Environment Ministry pays compensation to hunters who have meat too radioactive for human consumption.