Wild boar populations increase in France

Wild boar populations in France are experiencing significant growth, with estimates from the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB) placing the number of individuals between 1.5 and 2 million. This increase is reflected in hunting data, which shows 1,015,429 boars were culled last season, a 15.3% rise from the previous year.

Several factors contribute to this phenomenon. Abundant food sources, such as forest mast (acorns and beech nuts) and agricultural crops like maize, provide consistent nutrition. Additionally, milder winters have reduced natural mortality rates, allowing animals to maintain better physical condition year-round. The presence of exceptionally large individuals, some weighing up to 140 kg, has also been noted in regions like Morvan.

The proliferation is also linked to human activity. While natural and climatic factors play major roles, some ecological experts and animal rights groups suggest that historical practices, such as feeding wild populations or selective hunting that spared dominant breeding males, may have contributed to the species' expansion.