Rewilding Britain condemns illegal abandonment of wild boar
Published 11/02/2025
Rewilding Britain strongly condemns the illegal abandonment of wild boar in the Cairngorms National Park on Monday 10 February.
We understand the wild boar were later captured and humanely culled on 12 February.
Wild boar is the quintessential soil ecosystem engineer. It ploughs up the soil in woodlands and grasslands in search of tasty bulbs, tubers, grubs and buried acorns. Breaking up the sward clears space for the seeds of annual wildflowers, shrubs and trees to germinate.
“The abandonment of animals without care or consultation risks is not in the interests of local communities or the animals themselves.”
Rebecca Wrigley
Chief Executive
Rebecca Wrigley, Chief Executive of Rewilding Britain, said:
“The illegal abandonment of wild boar in a situation like this is irresponsible and wrong. Whatever the reasons – whether these are animals someone could no longer care for, escapees from a local farm, an illegal release, or something else – we hope the investigation will be successful.
But this is not rewilding and does nothing to support nature’s recovery. Rewilding means a properly managed process with habitat assessments, public consultation, and a government licence.
Wild boar are a vital missing species in our landscapes. As nature’s ecosystem engineers, they create diverse habitats, boost biodiversity, and improve soil health. We support their rightful place in a thriving, rewilding Britain — but only when their return is done legally, with robust ecological planning and community involvement.
The abandonment of animals without care or consultation risks is not in the interests of local communities or the animals themselves. It undermines the careful, science-led work needed to bring back species in a way that works for people and nature alike.
We thank Forestry and Land Scotland who are leading on capturing these animals and liaising with partner agencies to ascertain the full circumstances of how they came to be in the area.
We urge the governments of the UK to step up efforts to develop a national strategy for the return of species like wild boar— so their comeback is safe, supported, and successful.”
Read more about this soil ecosystem engineer — the wild boar.
