Debate on re-introduction of wild boar urged

An ecologist has strongly urged that now is the time to start a national conversation on wild boar. Daniel Buckley made his remarks in the wake of a wild boar being found and shot in the Slieve Bloom area between Kinnitty and Clonaslee last month and ensuing arguments regarding whether or not the wild boar can be classified as an invasive species. Mr Buckley has just completed a paper on the topic. He agrees with the Irish Wildlife Trust that the wild boar is not a species invasive to Ireland, which goes against a recent classification by Invasive Species Ireland. "You can't call something an invasive species just because it causes problems for people," he said. Laois newspaper the Laois Nationalist reported this week the wild boar killed in the area last month is not the only one sighted or shot in the county. A number of wild boar sightings were reported in 2009. A male wild boar was shot in Tipperary, and two breeding groups of wild boar were discovered in Wicklow and Kilkenny. The wild boar became extinct in Ireland approximately 5,000 years ago. With today's Ireland boasting a lot less forestry and a lot more farming, opinions are split over whether or not the animal should be re-introduced. Mr Buckley said Ireland as an island is in the happy position of being able to choose whether or not the once native species should become a part of the country's wildlife again. He said now is the time to start the debate about it, however. At present it's unknown how many wild boar are in Ireland or even if there is a viable population out there. "Let's talk about it," he urged this week. Debates have been taking place on the issue on online forums including Facebook and boards.ie in recent weeks.