In Warsaw, authorities decided to shoot wild boars that had excessively multiplied in the city. However, people are protesting
The number of wild boars in Polish cities, particularly in the capital, is regularly increasing, and this is a problem. However, proposals on how to deal with this problem differ radically, writes the Belarusian service of Polish Radio.
Illustrative photo. Photo: freepik.com
Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski's position on wild boars, which sparked protests, involved issuing permits for culling as the primary method of addressing the problem. Trzaskowski publicly emphasized that the city "must intervene" and has no choice due to safety concerns. In practice, this meant approving the shooting of wild boars in the city, often in emergency situations.
Following a wave of protests that recently swept through Warsaw, however, city authorities announced a review of their current policy regarding wild boars. Rafał Trzaskowski decided to appoint a special group of experts to address the problem of these animals' presence in urban spaces.
This decision is a response to the wave of criticism that arose after high-profile incidents in Warsaw's Bemowo and Mokotów districts, where wild boars were killed in front of residents, including children. These cases outraged not only animal rights defenders but also ordinary internet users — individuals who typically do not participate in animal rights campaigns.
According to estimates, the wild boar population in the Polish capital exceeds three thousand individuals. And this is not even the largest number of wild boars ever recorded in Warsaw and its surroundings. Due to culling, the overall wild boar population has decreased, but the animals have become more visible as they started approaching homes in search of food.
The situation is complicated by regulations related to African swine fever. Warsaw is in a zone from which it is practically impossible to transport animals outside the city, even though the virus has not been detected in wild boars in Warsaw and its surroundings for many years.
Protest against the capture of wild boars in front of Warsaw City Hall. Photo: PAP/Paweł Supernak
Representatives of public organizations do not want wild boars to live in the city, as their natural environment is the forest. However, people, over many years of systemic neglect of the problem, have created conditions for the animals to live here, says Dorota Chęmi from the "Wild Ones Stay" initiative.
"And here, of course, the main problem is the erroneous, inappropriate neglect of waste management issues. Wild boars come to cities partly because it is easier for them to find food here. They are often fed. I've heard of cases where people cook food for wild boars. Thus, the lack of educational and informational campaigns for residents is immediately apparent. If the city wants to solve the wild boar problem, it must start with an information campaign. We see such fictitious initiatives, but they do not contribute to solving the problem in any way."
There is a myth that a new species of wild boar — urban wild boars — lives in Warsaw. Since they were supposedly born in the city, they can only live here, even up to 20 years, and therefore must be eliminated.
However, in reality, wild boars adapt very easily to any conditions, says Dorota Chęmi.
According to her, public organizations do not want wild boars to live in the city. But it is necessary to learn to coexist with wild boars. As forest areas around cities decrease, wild animals will come into the city. This applies not only to wild boars.
"Animals will appear. And this applies not only to wild boars, but also to foxes and other wild animals. A modern city must recognize this fact and plan its space accordingly to minimize conflicts between humans and wildlife," says Dorota Chęmi.
As a result of public pressure, Warsaw authorities announced that they would establish an advisory commission that will comprehensively address the issue of wild boars, taking into account expert assessments.