Swine fever restrictions threaten to send Finland’s moose population soaring

Restrictions imposed after Finland’s first African swine fever case could prevent hunting for years, threatening to drive up moose and deer populations, Yle reports. Hunters in South Karelia are concerned about the consequences even outside the current restriction zone.

A dead wild boar found in Joutseno, in Lappeenranta, briefly raised fears on Wednesday that the disease had spread to South Karelia. Tests showed that the animal did not have African swine fever.

Finland’s first case was confirmed a week earlier in the neighbouring Kymenlaakso region. The disease is harmless to humans but fatal to pigs.

Restrictions in Kymenlaakso and South Karelia ban activities including forestry work, berry picking and hunting. Dogs must also not be allowed to roam freely in forests.

The current restriction zone includes parts of both regions and extends to Finland’s eastern border.

The Finnish Food Authority, Ruokavirasto, tests wild boar found dead or sick, animals involved in road accidents and hunted wild boar for African swine fever and other animal diseases. It tested more than 1,000 wild boar last year and 518 so far this year.

Half of the wild boar samples collected this year and last year came from southeastern Finland, including Kymenlaakso and South Karelia. Before the swine fever infection was detected, 17 dead wild boar had been found in Finland this year, 10 of them in southeastern Finland.

Hunters fear rising game populations

Kari Taurama, chair of the South Saimaa game management association, became seriously concerned when he heard about the possible spread of the disease. Joutseno is outside his association’s area but lies directly next to it.

Part of the association’s territory is within the current infection zone. Taurama is also worried that the zone extends into Russia, where information is unavailable.

Hunting clubs have contacted Taurama with concerns. For now, hunters can only wait and follow information from Ruokavirasto.

If restrictions prevent hunting for a long period, game populations could increase. That could lead to more collisions involving moose and deer, as well as a rise in predator numbers.

“If the restrictions continue for years, the moose population will explode out of control,” Taurama said.

According to Ruokavirasto’s instructions, lifting restrictions can only be proposed once at least 12 months have passed since African swine fever was last detected in a wild boar in the area.

South Karelia is preparing searches

Ruokavirasto began searching for dead wild boar in Virolahti, Kymenlaakso, on Thursday.

South Karelia also has an organisation ready to search for dead wild boar if Ruokavirasto orders it, Taurama said.

According to Taurama, sick pigs often go into water to cool themselves. Wetlands therefore need to be checked as part of the searches.