An estimated 20 feral pigs have been spotted in the Scottish Highlands following a suspected illegal release. The animals have been seen in woodlands near Kingussie in the Cairngorms National Park - where four lynx were dumped last month. The park's authority has said staff are attempting to trap the wild boar and working "to ascertain the full facts" on how they ended up there. "The animals appear to be relatively domesticated and it is likely that this is an illegal release," it said. "The Park Authority condemns any illegal release of animals in the strongest possible terms.".
The seemingly illegal dumping has also been condemned by the Cairngorms crofters and farmers group, which said it is "extremely concerned" the pigs "could pose a significant disease risk to livestock, wildlife, and even humans". "Diseases such as bovine tuberculosis (bTB), foot-and-mouth disease, and leptospirosis could have devastating consequences for Scotland's farming community," it said in a post on Facebook.
Wild boar were once native to Scotland but became extinct in the thirteenth century due to overhunting and habitat loss, according to the Scottish Wildlife Trust. They have occasionally reappeared after escapes and deliberate releases. Norfolk couple have 'dream come true' after reuniting with dog seven years after it was stolen. More than 100 venomous snakes removed from Sydney back garden. Would your dog eat lab-grown food? Pet treats made from cultivated meat go on sale.
The pigs could cause "serious problems" including destroying pastures, crops, hay fields and fences, the Cairngorms crofters and farmers added - noting that while "wild boar and feral pigs are not usually aggressive, they can be dangerous in certain situations". "Our members are deeply concerned and utterly condemn these unlawful releases," the group said. More from Sky News:What you should know about bird flu10 animals found dead in hoarder's home.
Be the first to get Breaking News. Install the Sky News app for free. It comes after four lynx were illegally released in the same national park last month. The first two lynx were captured in the region on 9 January and just two days later, another pair was spotted and subsequently captured. One of the animals died while being cared for. The three surviving wildcats were taken to Edinburgh Zoo for a period of quarantine.
