Wild boar population management in Europe

Authorities in Spain and France are addressing the agricultural and safety challenges posed by growing wild boar populations.

In Ourense, Spain, the Xunta de Galicia and the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) have proposed a coordinated management strategy. This plan includes population control through hunting and live captures, economic compensation for farmers, and aid for electric fencing to mitigate damage to crops and improve road safety. Officials estimate the local population at approximately 82,200 specimens.

In France, particularly in the Ardèche department, tensions have risen between farmers and hunting organizations due to significant crop destruction. While over 28,000 animals were culled during the 2025-2026 season in Ardèche, agricultural damages were estimated at 250,000 euros in 2025. Farmers report that even electrified fences are often ineffective. Proposed solutions in France include increased trapping, the use of specialized hunting lieutenants, and extended hunting seasons, though hunters have cited heat concerns as a barrier to earlier activity.