‘Time to get rid of wild pigs’

L A N D OW N E R S h a v e been urged to take up arms to defend the Perthshire countryside against a rise in wild boar numbers.

Farmers in the Alyth Hill area have been advised to shoot any feral pigs on their land.

The area has seen a population boom after several wild boars escaped from a l ocal estate three years ago.

Now Scottish Natural Heritage has warned that unless action is taken, the boar population could spiral out of control.

It is estimated there are between 20 and 40 wild pigs — a mix of wild and domestic creatures — in the area.

About 30 people attended a public meeting hosted by SNH in Alyth.

Local operations manager Gavin Clark said: “Nobody has been saying, ‘Oh, I love having these pigs around here, l et’s keep them’.

“Everyone i s of t he opinion that the population will grow if it’s not controlled.”

He said landowners had responsibility for feral pigs on their property.

“While it’s encouraging to hear that the numbers on Alyth Hill are now low, we are concerned that the animals may have spread to new sites,” he added.

“We’re here to provide advice and coordination, if required, but I’d urge farmers, gamekeepers and other land managers to be alert and control any animals which appear to be on their land.”