A HERD of wild boar have been released near a Highlands rewilding estate not far from where four lynx were illegally dumped last month, according to reports.
The group of pigs were photographed in a woodland area near the village of Insh in the Highlands, which is about 12 miles from Kingussie in the Cairngorms National Park, and within about a mile from Dell of Killiehuntly where four young lynx were illegally released in January.
According to the Scotsman, experts said the herd appears to be genetically closer to wild boar than domestic pigs.
There are feral pigs in Scotland but according to the newspaper, one resident in Insh said there was straw found where the pigs were spotted – leading to speculation that the herd was released.
The Scotsman also reported there is speculation that the release of the pigs could be linked to guerrilla rewilders, as similar claims were made last month when the lynx were captured in the same area.
Anders Polvsen’s company Wildland Ltd, which runs nearby Killiehuntly estate, confirmed staff were aware of the boar.
Forestry and Land Scotland are currently attempting to trap the pigs that have been reported to be unfazed by humans
A spokesperson for NatureScot said: “We are aware of a number of sightings of feral pigs in the Insh area.
“Forestry Land Scotland is leading on trapping these animals, and we are liaising with partner agencies to ascertain the full circumstances of how they came to be in the area.
“We understand that Police Scotland has also been informed of the situation.”
Cairngorm National Park has published a statement on its website confirming the Park Authority is aware of the recent sightings.
“We are aware that feral pigs have been spotted in an area of the Cairngorms National Park near Uath Lochans.
“The Park Authority is working closely with partners – including NatureScot and Forestry and Land Scotland – to ascertain the full facts on the ground and Forestry and Land Scotland is currently attempting to trap the animals.
“The animals appear to be relatively domesticated and it is likely that this is an illegal release.
“The Park Authority condemns any illegal release of animals in the strongest possible terms.”
Police Scotland are still investigating the release of the four big cats which, according to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), were domesticated.
One of the lynx died after being successfully recaptured while the other three are currently being cared for at Edinburgh Zoo.
Last month David Field, chief executive of RZSS, said the rogue rewilding of the lynx was “sad” and also a “real risk”.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Sadly there are rogue rewilders out there who bypass all the established international best practice and bypass all professional organisations which are discussing lynx coming back to Scotland.
“They are impatient and then proceed in a way which is this rebellious rogue rewilding. That’s really sad and that’s a real, real risk.”
Last week John Swinney said his SNP Government will not allow a legal release of lynx or other large carnivores in Scotland.
While attending the National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS) conference on Friday he said: “Ministers are acutely aware of the concerns many of you have about the introduction of new species.
“Let me be very clear, the recent illegal release of four lynx was both reckless and posed a serious risk to the welfare of those animals released.
“My government will not be reintroducing lynx, or indeed any other large carnivorous species in Scotland.”
