Hunter Group in Saar Region Responsible for Increased Wild Boar Deaths

Poachers in Saarland have increased the number of wild boars they've slain

, and ASMedia

2025 June 16 . 5:25 AM

2 min read

Saarland hunting enthusiasts discuss their recent hunting season ( representational photo)

Wild Boar Hunt in Saarland Breaks Records: A Step Towards Controlling Disease?

Poachers in Saarland increase wild boar slaughters - Hunter Group in Saar Region Responsible for Increased Wild Boar Deaths

Hunters in the German region of Saarland have reported an all-time high in wild boar kills, with over 8,400 boars taken down during the last hunting season. This is a whopping increase of about 1,200 boars compared to the previous year and the fourth-highest number in Saarland's hunting history, according to Johannes Schorr, the managing director of the Saarland Hunters' Association.

With the potential African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak looming, Schorr emphasizes the need for "extraordinary efforts" to cull the wild boar population even further. The intensified hunt on these wild pigs has been viewed as a preventative measure against ASF for several years now.

Not just wild boars, the numbers speak for other game species too:

Roe and fallow deer were hunted in large numbers, with 12,000 roe deer reported and a slightly higher number of fallow deer (522) compared to the previous year. The red deer count, on the other hand, saw a significant dip at 132, mostly due to dwindling and less suitable habitat in the region.
Over 3,600 foxes were trapped, making this the highest number in twelve years. The "badger take" remained stable at around 440 animals, while the wild goose population plummeted to approximately 240 birds, with half of them residing in the Merzig-Wadern district. The increase in wild geese is primarily attributed to the ongoing spread of invasive species like the Canada goose and Egyptian goose.

Game species such as hares, rabbits, pheasants, and partridges were sparsely hunted, with 19 badgers also reported killed. As of the end of 2024, there were roughly 5,650 hunters in Saarland.

The escalating wild boar hunt has raised questions about its potential impact on ASF outbreaks. While a lower wild boar population can help mitigate the risk of disease transmission by reducing the host population, unregulated hunting could potentially spread the virus if carcasses are not properly disposed of. The key to successfully managing ASF lies in coordinated and careful population control measures, as demonstrated in other affected regions. However, more specific data on the situation in Saarland is needed to draw definitive conclusions.

The community acknowledges the importance of adhering to the community policy regarding the disposal of wild game carcasses to avoid the potential spread of African Swine Fever, in light of the intensified hunt on wild boars in Saarland. Vocational training programs for hunters could emphasize the proper management and disposal of game remains to prevent the proliferation of ASF.