The prevalence and implications of non-native wild boar Sus scrofa in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

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.