It's the season for wild boar, and a number of animals have recently rampaged through private gardens in Luxembourg, leaving the grass looking as though it had been hit by a bulldozer.
RTL recently received a selection of images and videos depicting the damage done by the wild animals, who usually roam through the Grand Duchy's forests.
"Wild boar are omnivores, they eat acorns, worms, insects, anything they find on the ground. They also burrow into the ground looking for food," explained Laurent Schley, biologist and head of the Nature and Forest Administration's wildlife and hunting department.
"When the animals are on the move around their territory, it's possible for them to make their way into unsecured private property", the expert added.
A herd of wild boar is usually made up of a number of sows with their young. The older males usually roam alone. "Depending on the food supply, their territory usually consists of woodland, with fields and meadows," Schley said. A female wild boar can weigh around 90 kilograms, while a male can reach up to 130 kilograms.
There is little to no data on how many wild boar live in Luxembourg. "It is difficult to impossible to count wild animals," Schley explained. "However, it is clear from things like the amount of damage caused, that the number of wild boar is still high in this country, like everywhere in Europe. The problem is everywhere and it is hard to get it under control."
How can one protect a garden from wild boar? Insurance will not cover damage by the animals. Schley recommends securing private property with a fence, preferably out of wire, reaching all the way down to the ground so the animals cannot burrow in underneath. If there is any gap in the fencing it is likely a wild boar could gain access that way.
Further information can be obtained from the Nature and Forest Agency at phone number (+352) 247 56600.
Video in Luxembourgish:
