Valencia Captures 3,000 Boars to Fight African Swine Fever

The Valencian regional government announced that 3,000 wild boars have been removed in 2026 through a combined trap and hunter program aimed at controlling the species and preventing African swine fever (ASF) spread. The plan, overseen by Environment Minister Vicente Martínez Mus, includes weekly deployment of about ten cages, financial aid of €40 per boar to hunters, and a budget of €6 million, of which €2 million funds direct hunter subsidies.

Researchers tracking boars with GPS collars in several Spanish regions found that the animals frequently visit the surroundings of intensive pig farms without being detected, increasing the risk of indirect ASF transmission via vehicles, clothing, or equipment. The study highlights the boars’ ability to adjust their behavior and remain invisible, underscoring the importance of the control measures for biosecurity in Spain’s large pork industry.