Experts and organisations urge return of wild boar to Denmark

A group of experts and organisations has proposed bringing wild boar back to Denmark, arguing that the species is a key part of the ecosystem and should be protected rather than shot at the border, the Danish broadcaster DR reports.

The proposal comes from Dyrenes Beskyttelse (Animal Protection Denmark), Danmarks Naturfredningsforening (the Danish Society for Nature Conservation), biology professor Rasmus Ejnæs of Aarhus University, and nature communicator Sebastian Klein. They say wild boar is a keystone species that helps create habitats by rooting in the soil, which produces seedbeds for plants and bare ground for insects.

Wild boar is listed on the Danish Red List of threatened species, and the group argues it should receive the same protection as wolves. They want the current policy of shooting wild boar as soon as they cross the border from Germany to be reconsidered.

Denmark is the only country in the world that has eradicated a native, naturally occurring animal because it is considered too troublesome, Sebastian Klein told DR. “Is that what we want to be?” he asked.

The agricultural lobby group Landbrug og Fødevarer (Agriculture and Food) strongly opposes the idea. Jan Dahl, a chief consultant in food and veterinary affairs there, said that if wild boar are allowed in Denmark, it is not a question of whether African swine fever will arrive, but when. He noted that up to 80 percent of EU countries with wild boar have had outbreaks of the disease, which kills about 80 percent of infected pigs. Outdoor organic pig production would be particularly vulnerable, he said.

Jan Dahl added that the decision is ultimately political, but his organisation must stick to the facts.

The proposal has rekindled debate about whether human convenience should determine which species are allowed to live in Danish nature.