Increase in wild boar hunt in Rhineland-Palatinate: statistics and causes

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The hunting season 2023/2024 brought significant changes in Rhineland-Palatinate, which cause a stir, especially when it comes to wild boar hunt. The recently presented figures of the hunters show that during this period the wild boars killed achieve an amount of around 61,600 animals. This value represents an increase of over 16,500 compared to the previous year, which indicates remarkable fluctuations within the wild boar population.

in Gensingen, where the Rhineland-Palatinate State Hunting Association is based, it is explained that such fluctuations are typical: If many wild boars are killed in one year, the inventory is usually reduced in the following year, which leads to lower shooting numbers. In contrast, there can be an increase in the year afterwards, as the population recovers. A spokeswoman for the association describes this cycle as a natural course that is due to the hunting pressure and the reproductive rates of the animals.

news about the African swine plague

The recent development in relation to the African swine fever is particularly relevant. For the first time, a case at wild boar in Rhineland-Palatinate was found in July this year. The concern within the animal husbandry and agricultural community increased when the animal disease was recently detected in a domestic pig. The African swine fever can have significant consequences for pig farming, and the authorities are faced with the challenge of taking measures to contain the disease spread.

In addition to the wild boars in Rhineland-Palatinate, the roe deer and the red deer are among the main game species. Interestingly, the numbers of these two species remained relatively stable compared to previous years, with about 105,400 deer and almost 8,500 red deer in the hunting year 2023/2024.

Another remarkable result of the current hunting statistics concerns the raccoons. The shooting figures increased by over 75 percent compared to the previous year, which corresponds to almost 3,300 animals. A decade ago, this number was only around 200. The raccoon, an invasive animal that comes from North America, has now increasingly spread in urban areas, where it is known to cause damage to property.

The motives for the increased hunt for the raccoons are diverse. Environmentalists and hunters emphasize that the controlled hunting of this type is necessary to maintain the ecological balance. According to the German Hunting Association, more than 202,000 raccoons were killed in the entire federal territory in the hunting year 2022/2023, which draws attention to the problem of invasive species.

hunting measures and their importance

The hunting numbers in Rhineland-Palatinate throw a light on the new challenges that hunters have to cope with today. These go beyond the classic hunting strategies and also include the management of wildlife populations in order to prevent output of individual species and to protect the balance in the ecosystem. The fact that not only the wild boar, but also raccoons are under the special focus of the hunters, shows an adapted procedure towards a more sustainable and more responsible hunting.

The current figures prove an increasing adaptation to the dynamic ecological framework and illustrate the responsibility that hunters bears. At a time when awareness of nature conservation grows, hunting faces the challenge of not only acting traditionally but also ecologically sensible.

The development of wild boar population is not only a phenomenon in Rhineland-Palatinate, but also affects other federal states in Germany. A comparison with the hunting numbers from other regions shows that wild boars are increasingly a challenge for agriculture and public security. In recent years, the number of shootings in federal states such as North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria has also increased significantly, which indicates increasing wild boar population. According to the German Hunting Association, the situation in many parts of Germany is influenced by the fact that wild boars are increasingly entering urban areas, which leads to an increased human-animal conflict situation. This development presents both hunters and farmers with new challenges.

political and economic background

The hunt for wild boars in Rhineland-Palatinate and other federal states is closely linked to political and economic aspects. Farmers report more and more frequent damage caused by wild boars that dig in fields and gardens. The associated financial losses lead to an outcry in agriculture, which results in political demands for more effective protective measures. In the past, the state of Rhineland-Palatinate has promoted wild boar hunting programs to regulate the stocks and minimize damage. At the same time there is a discussion about the influence of the African swine fever on the wildlife stock and the need to act preventively.

The African swine plague (ASP) not only has a direct impact on wild boar population, but also influences the entire pig breeding in Germany. Since the first cases were found in the region, farmers have been under pressure to protect their stocks. This has led to increased hunting, as well as awareness of the importance of monitoring and control of wild animals. Relevant measures are developed to minimize the ASP risks, as well as the hunting practices in the affected regions.

Current statistics and trends

Current statistics show a significant increase in wild boar hunt in German forests. In 20222/2023, a total of around 350,000 wild boars were killed across Germany, an increase of almost 20 % compared to the previous year. These numbers reflect the continued trend, which is favored by a combination of overpopulation and prevention measures against the African swine fever. The hunt for raccoons also shows a dramatic increase: the number of raccoons kept has increased by over 800 % since 2013. This data illustrates that invasive species are now being actively hunted to protect domestic ecosystems.

Another point that should not be not taken into account is the social acceptance of hunting. In a survey by the German Hunting Association from 2022, 75 % of those surveyed stated that they considered hunting to keep the wildlife populations in check. At the same time, however, there have also been critical voices that initiated an ethical debate about hunting management, especially with regard to the well -being of wild animals and the preservation of biodiversity. The German Hunting Association regularly informs about news and developments in hunting practice and offers numerous resources for interested parties.