Hundreds of farmers, ranchers and herders from across Italy gathered in Rome today to protest an “invasion” of wild boar in the country. The protest was organized by the Coldiretti Agricultural Association.
“Boars destroy fields and kill flocks of sheep, cause car accidents in rural and urban areas where they feed on garbage. They represent a concrete threat to the health of citizens”, emphasized the protesters, led by Coldiretti president Ettore Prandini. “No more boar” was read on one track.
Wild boars cause 10,000 traffic accidents a year, and the number has risen sharply. It is said that there are over two million wild boar in Italy. Coldiretti urged authorities to kill the animals, which have multiplied in recent years. Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri recently announced a program to reduce the number through targeted killings. This became necessary after African swine fever was found in animals in and around the capital.