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Wild boar in Annaba: nocturnal activity and urban encounters

Group of wild boar standing together outdoors
Research: Ecology · Conservation: Human–wildlife conflict, Management

Wild boar (Sus scrofa) are reported in residential areas of Annaba, an expanding city in northeastern Algeria near Edough Forest. A study combining a survey of 250 residents with six months of nocturnal field monitoring examined where the animals were reported and how people viewed their presence.

Reported sightings differed sharply between the sectors studied. In Sector 3, 68% of respondents said they had seen wild boar; in Sector 1, no respondents reported a sighting. The researchers associated boar presence with proximity to Edough Forest, human food resources and routes connecting the forest with residential areas. Field monitoring indicated that the animals were active almost exclusively at night. A relative-abundance index, used to track changes in how commonly boar were detected, also rose markedly in one season.

Among respondents who expressed an opinion, views were predominantly negative. Fear, perceived danger and hygiene concerns were prominent. The sightings and index describe local patterns, not the total wild-boar population.

The findings document a human–wildlife interface where forest, food sources and urban neighbourhoods meet. The authors recommend better waste management, targeted habitat interventions and long-term monitoring to address conflict. Understanding where encounters occur and what concerns residents may help focus those efforts in Annaba.

Sources and image credit

  1. Human–Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) Interface in an Expanding North African City: Spatiotemporal Patterns and Public Perceptions in Annaba, AlgeriaPrimary journal article. The publisher listing confirms the publication date. Study details were checked against the accessible abstract; the full text was not accessible for this verification.
  2. Most Recent Articles — Land, volume 15, issue 10Publisher issue listing identifying the article and its publication date.

Image: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Wild boars near Basistówka Street, Kraków; representative image, not from Annaba, Algeria. · CC BY 4.0 · Source

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