Hunters kill wild boar in Alajärvi for African swine fever tests

Hunters have killed a young male wild boar that had been roaming near Alajärvi in South Ostrobothnia, Yle reports. Samples were taken from the animal to test for African swine fever, and the results are pending.

The boar was found near Lake Iiruunjärvi in a potato field, where a wildlife camera had recorded it on at least three nights. Experienced hunters waited at the edge of the field, and the animal appeared in the early hours of Tuesday to dig in the soil, according to Pekka Hautamäki, operations director of the Alajärvi Game Management Association.

Hautamäki praised local hunters for their effective response. He said the operation cut what he described as an Inner Finland bridge between the eastern and western wild boar populations, helping to limit the spread of African swine fever.

Test results are pending

The Finnish Food Authority said on Tuesday that hunting wild boar outside the official African swine fever infection zone is also desirable. Samples from hunted animals can help clarify the extent of the infection zone and the overall situation.

A sample was also taken from the Alajärvi boar to test for African swine fever. If the results are clear, the meat can be used as food.

The testing kit came from hunters in the neighbouring municipality of Perho because a kit ordered from the Finnish Food Authority a week earlier had not yet arrived in Alajärvi.

Hautamäki said the animal appeared healthy and in good condition. He added that the possible spread of African swine fever could have serious consequences, making it important to take the matter seriously in Alajärvi.