This is a bloody Sunday on January 5, 2025. Today, amidst indignation and dissent, it was the killing of wild boars is planned in a natural area of the Liguria region. The measure, foreseen by the Ordinances of the Extraordinary Commissioner for the African swine feverintends to combat the spread of the viral disease.
The area affected by this execution is the Aveto Regional Natural Park of the metropolitan city of Genoa. This was made known by the Park administration through a press release on “urgent and necessary” depopulation actions scheduled for January 5th, weather permitting.
The Park had warned its visitors to pay maximum attention and avoid access to the marked areas, modifying itineraries and excursions so as not to interfere with the hunting plan. A slaughter announced and harshly criticized by animal rights associations.
This was reported by LEAL, the Anti-vivisectionist League. The association expressed indignation at management strategies that do not protect local wildlife, raising concerns. As LEAL reiterates, hunting control through depopulation actions of the wild boar species in the territory is a questionable solution with consequences for the environment.
In a historical moment that has never been so nefarious and wicked towards wildlife, we continue to say no to any form of violence towards animals. The massive culling of wild boars does not take into account the ecological role that these animals play in their habitat and their elimination could lead to unforeseen consequences such as an alteration of biodiversity. We ask for greater clarity on the ways in which these reductions will be carried out and on how the long-term effects of the actions taken will be monitored” said Gian Marco Prampolini, LEAL president.
More than legitimate questions in the face of actions already undertaken in the area as a tool for the eradication of African swine fever. We would like to remind you, in fact, that in January 2024, again within the Aveto Park, the culling of wild boars had been ordered in different areas. Now we’re back to square one, with a new massacre of wild animals, ignoring non-bloody alternatives already highlighted by animal protection bodies.
