The increase in the presence of wild boars in the AMB, Metropolitan Area of Barcelona, has generated an intense debate on the best way to control their population.
As the summer progresses, it is increasingly common to spot herds of wild boars in the area, which has led the inhabitants of the municipalities near the Collserola mountain range to confront this situation.
These animals, in their search for food, descend from the mountains and cause damage and disturbance as they pass through. They damage parks, gardens and overturn garbage cans and containers, leaving a trail of dirt in their wake.
In addition, in some cases, aggressive behavior by adult females towards humans and other animals has been reported. Faced with this situation, hunters are preparing to carry out summer raids as a method of population control.
Wild boar hunting is currently the most widely used system in the Collserola mountain range, but it is also a controversial issue that generates division of opinion in society.
Environmental associations criticize this method and question its effectiveness, while hunters argue that it is the fastest, most economical and humane method.
The situation is aggravated by climate change, as the loss of food and weather conditions have led wild boars to venture ever closer to urban centers.
Presence of wild boars in the AMB
The hunting season runs from September through March, with approximately 20 hunting parties scheduled during that period.
However, legally, wild boar hunting is allowed year-round in exceptional cases, such as when there is damage to crops, traffic accidents or a significant increase in sightings in urban areas.
According to Sergio Sánchez, president of the Catalan Hunting Federation, in the last 15 years there has been a reduction in the wild boar population in Collserola, from 17 to 12 specimens per square kilometer.
However, Carmen Méndez, president of the Association in Defense of Animal Rights (ADDA), believes that hunting is a destabilizing factor for the ecosystem of the Sierra Metropolitana.
According to Méndez, killing the alpha females in the herds causes dispersal of the remaining females, which leads to an increase in the population.
She proposes a combination of measures, such as birth control through contraceptive injections and the creation of crops or plantations in Collserola to provide food for wild boars during the summer, thus preventing them from approaching urban areas.
It is important to mention that hunting is prohibited in the Collserola area that belongs to the municipality of Barcelona, although it is allowed in other surrounding towns such as Sant Just Desvern, Sant Cugat, Sant Feliu and El Papiol.
