Hunting for wild boars: Hessen fights against the African swine fever!

Hunting for wild boars: Hessen fights against the African swine fever!

The dangers of the African swine plague (ASP) face Hessen with a significant challenge. In order to fight the animal disease, the hunt for wild boars is intensified. In this context, both local circles and the state of Hesse offer increased bonuses for killed wild boar. Particularly noteworthy is the Darmstadt-Dieburg district, which has doubled the launch premium to 200 euros per wild boar shot. In the Rheingau-Taunus district, an amount of 120 euros is granted, whereby the country pays half of the costs. These measures of the premium payments apply both in the restricted zones I and II and regardless of an infection to effectively reduce the wild boar stock.

The fight against the ASP has accepted serious dimensions since the first confirmed case on June 15, 2024. To date, over 4,500 dead wild boars have been found or killed, with around 1,600 cases being tested positively. South Hesse seems to be particularly affected, while Northern Hesse has so far been spared by the plague.

preventive measures and area barriers

The authorities have extended the search for carcasses to a considerable area of ​​around 346,000 hectares. Of these, 180,000 hectares were searched with drones. At the same time, the construction of mobile and solid protective fences is advanced: Around 300 kilometers of electric fence and 170 kilometers of fence are currently installed, with another 40 kilometers under construction. The aim of these measures is so -called "white zones", which are supposed to be wild boar -free to interrupt infection chains.

agricultural and hunting minister Ingmar Jung emphasizes the urgency to significantly reduce the wild boar stock. The African swine fever is almost curable for wild and domestic pigs and is fatal in almost all cases. However, it does not represent any danger for humans and other animal species.

The ASP has already led to a spread to Rhineland-Palatinate in Hesse. There, an infected pig in Biblis, Hesse, was found what led to the establishment of an "infected zone". This includes parts of Ludwigshafen, the BASF workshop in Frankenthal and several surrounding municipalities. In this zone there is now a leash obligation for dogs, and cyclists and riders may only move on marked paths.

reactions and measures in Rhineland-Palatinate

Events with pigs, such as trade fairs or auctions, are strictly prohibited within the infected zone. In addition, trading in living animals is prohibited, while slaughter products from the zone may only be approved or exported heated for the German market. The authorities in Rhineland-Palatinate responsible for animal health are on standby and are available to advise pigs. In the entire area, animals must be protected from contact with potentially infected animals through a double fence.

The first cases of ASP in Germany were known over a year ago, and since then the spread of the disease has also affected the districts of Mainz-Bingen and Alzey-Worms as well as the cities of Mainz and Worms. Recently, two dead wild boars near Gimbsheim were tested on the virus, which limits hunting within a 15 kilometer radius around the Oppenheimer Wäldchen.

authorities in Rheinhessen urgently warn the population of underestimating the dangers of the ASP. In view of this situation, the use of mobile electrical fence systems is intensified in order to circle the radius of movement possibly infected wild boar and to stop the spread of the plague.

The African swine plague is an animal disease that was originally limited to Africa and has now also raged in Europe. Germany has to prepare for upcoming risk due to the high wild boar density in the eastern neighboring countries and the well -developed traffic infrastructure. The greatest danger is based on illegal disposal contaminated material and the contact between infected wild boar. These challenges require determined action by politics and society in order to curb the spread of the ASP.