European wild boar invasion drives $1.6 bn annual losses in Argentina

The European wild boar (jabalí europeo) has spread to almost every Argentine province, becoming one of the world’s most damaging invasive species. Specialists estimate the animal causes about $1.6 billion in annual losses to agriculture, destroying crops, breaking fences, and damaging rural infrastructure.

The boars also transmit diseases such as trichinosis, hepatitis and swine fever to livestock and pose a risk to public health. Incidents of attacks on people have been reported, including a fatal encounter with a vendor in Mendoza. Authorities in Buenos Aires have declared a “plaguicidal” hunting campaign, but experts say a coordinated federal management plan and regulated processing facilities are needed. “Los ejemplares adultos son enormes y pueden ser agresivos. Pesan más de 200 kilos…”, warned agronomy professor Francisco Pescio, who also noted, “El daño que causan al agro es de unos 1.600 millones de dólares anuales.”