Wild Animals

Welfare of Wild Boars Hunted in European Forests

Wild boar hunting in Europe is a growing activity as boar populations expand, with welfare implications for hunting methods and the management of wounded animals.

Key Facts

Wild boar populations in Europe have tripled since the 1980s due to hunting pressure reduction and habitat change
Boar are intelligent, social animals that live in family groups called sounders
Wounded boar that escape into dense forest frequently die over days from infection
Dog hunts for boar involve dog injuries and deaths at significant rates
African swine fever makes boar population management a biosecurity priority in many European countries

Welfare Considerations

Wild boar hunting welfare is determined primarily by shot placement and the management of wounded animals. Boar are difficult to kill cleanly due to their robust anatomy and the challenging shooting conditions of forest hunting. Wounded animals that escape suffer for hours or days before death or recovery. The growing practice of dog hunting — where dogs are used to hold boar at bay — creates direct welfare risks for the dogs as well as prolonged stress for the boar.

What You Can Do

Advocate for mandatory wounded animal tracking requirements with trained dogs in boar hunting regulations
Support minimum caliber and shot placement guidelines for boar hunting to reduce wounding rates
Engage with hunting organizations about welfare standards for dog-assisted boar hunting
Support African swine fever surveillance programs that address the biosecurity dimension of boar population management