Wild boars, common but hidden inhabitants of Brno

Abstract

The wild boar (Sus scrofa) is a globally distributed mammalian species that, at high densities, can cause extensive damage to agriculture and forestry, resulting in ecological damage and security risks. Its importance is enhanced by its enormous adaptability and ecological plasticity to a wide range of environmental factors. Across Europe, its presence in built-up areas, where it damages vegetation and property, causes traffic accidents, can transmit diseases and sporadically attacks dogs and humans, is increasingly being addressed. The situation is similar in the Czech Republic. Based on research in the city of Brno, groups of wild boars have also been recorded in the central parts of the city. It has been shown that they are associated with urban green areas, especially areas with many shelters (forest parks, brownfields, cottage territory, etc.).