22. Trapping efficacy to control the wild Boar (Sus scrofa) population in Islamabad, Pakistan
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Abstract
Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), an important artiodactyl mammal of family Suidae, is reported as an agricultural pest. It causes damage to sugarcane, oil seeds and several grain crops. Present studies were conducted towards efficient management of this animal through various trapping techniques, as chemical and shooting was not recommended in the study site due to environmental, social and security issues in Islamabad. There were three different types of traps (double spike snare traps, loop traps and panel traps) were used to control the population of wild boar. During two years of trapping study, a total of 529 wild boars were trapped from seven different study sites located in the vicinity of Islamabad. Out of these, 277 were trapped during the first year and 252 in the year 2. The maximum (84 animals) heads were captured Faisal Mosque (46 in year 1 and 35 in year 2) followed by a catch of 81 at F-9 Park (36 in year 1 and 45 in year 2). The comparison of trapping devises was made from the results it is indicated that, the most efficient was panel trap, through which a total of 277 animals were captured in two years followed by 111 and 107 from loop traps and snare traps, respectively.
Keywords: Wild Boar; Crops damage; Traps; Mechanical control