Wild boars in Barcelona hills down by a third after nearly 1,000 hunted

The population of wild boars in the Collserola mountain range, just north of Barcelona, is going down after more such mammals than ever were hunted throughout the year 2022.

The Catalan climate action ministry said in a statement on Monday that the density of wild boars is now 12/km2, down from all-time high 17/km2 in 2021.

During 2022, 965 specimens were hunted, the highest figure ever, surpassing previous record of 853, set in 2021 – most of them (61%) were captured in urban areas.

The upper neighborhoods of Barcelona have seen frequent run-ins of ungulates in the past few years. Indeed, the overpopulation of wild boars has been an increasing problem across Catalonia, especially in the Girona area. Have a listen to our recent Filling the Sink podcast episode on this issue here:

Although the density is still very high, authorities believe Collserola is back to "more sustainable conditions socially."

However, they say wild boars can still transmit diseases to both people and pets, as well as causing injuries to passers-by and car accidents.

A recent Catalan police Mossos d'Esquadra report revealed that 2022 saw 4,243 accidents on the road with such animals involved, and almost half of them occurred between October and December.

Thus the administration advises the public against giving food to the animals.

Local authorities have launched a new scheme to collect waste in some neighborhoods to prevent the ungulates from browsing bins.

Government action plan

Across the country, the Catalan government is implementing an action plan that was approved in March 2022 to counter the overpopulation.

One of the main initiatives put forward is declaring a 'hunting emergency' in the Rocacorba and Gavarres forests, in the Girona area – something that farmers' union Unió de Pagesos want to see it extended to other regions, arguing wild boars usually attack their crops.

They also plan to train what they will call "expert hunters" and will provide further financial support to people who have been affected by boars.

The measures also include encouraging the public to consume wild boar meat, in order to boost hunting – in the past decade, hunters have halved and they are getting old.