The prevalence and implications of non-native wild boar Sus scrofa in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
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Date
2023
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Abstract
Humans’ introduction of species into areas where they do not naturally occur has led to
ecological and economic havoc. Introduced species can become invasive, exerting negative
pressures on native species and the environment. Wild boar (Sus scrofa) is distributed
worldwide except for Antarctica. The species is highly destructive and has been regarded as
an invasive alien species in many parts of the world. Researchers have done many studies on
wild boar investigating various aspects of the species, such as its biology, biochemistry,
ecology, epidemiology, genetics, and archaeology. Invasive animals' effects on the
environment and ecological systems were explored and focused on the impacts of exotic
mammals, with wild boar as the species of interest. The potential for invasive spread by the
European wild boar in South Africa was assessed by determining potentially suitable habitats
using bioclimatic variables and the maximum entropy model, and then related to the present
distribution records of the species in the country. Wild boars were found to have great
potential to extend their invasive distribution range in South Africa. The prevalence of feral
wild boar in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Province, South Africa, was investigated using camera
trap surveys. The camera trap surveys revealed that there were no feral wild boar populations
in the Midlands of KZN, but in other parts of KZN. The selling of wild boar in relation to the
present legislation on wild boar in South Africa is illegal. The selling of wild boar contributes
to the spread of the species in the country, as determined in this study. We recommend that
the sale of wild boar should be monitored in South Africa by conservation authorities and the
animals confiscated from the offenders and euthanised to prevent the further uncontrolled
spread of the species. Moreover, we recommend the revision of the legislation regulating wild
boar in South Africa to prevent the uncontrolled spread of the species in the country.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.