Catalonia is launching one of the largest wildlife control operations in recent years. The move comes in response to a real threat of African swine fever (ASF) spreading to Barcelona and nearby areas. Authorities have decided to cull up to 12,000 wild boars within a 20-kilometer radius of the first detected infected animal to prevent an outbreak among domestic and wild pigs.
Restrictions and Measures
According to El Pais, after a new infection case was detected in Cerdanyola del Vallès, authorities imposed a complete ban on visiting the Collserola natural park. This measure is aimed at facilitating the capture of animals and reducing the risk of their migration into urban areas. Officials note that the presence of people in the forest causes boars to scatter, making them harder to catch and increasing the risk of the virus spreading.
Within a six-kilometer radius of the outbreak, there are about 400 wild boars, while Collserola itself has up to 600 more. Nets and traps are used for their capture, and professional hunters are also involved. In the broader 20-kilometer zone, experts estimate the population at 8,000 to 12,000 boars. Here, authorities are using not only traps but also intensive hunting with specially trained teams.
Technology and Control
Modern technologies such as drones, thermal cameras, and mobile teams are being used to monitor and capture animals. In agricultural areas, hunting is conducted in targeted operations to minimize stress for the animals and prevent mass escapes. In forest zones, the focus is on setting traps, since using firearms can trigger panic among the wildlife.
Since November, laboratories have examined 1,800 samples, including remains of found animals. One challenge is the lack of trained dogs to search for deceased wild boars, as these animals tend toward cannibalism, increasing the risk of virus transmission. The operation involves not only local services but also teams from Andorra, Madrid, and support from the Guardia Civil.
Impact on local residents
About 15,000 people live in Collserola, and the park receives up to five million visitors annually. Now, access to natural areas is completely closed, except for paved roads, residential buildings, schools, and some commercial sites, including the Tibidabo park. Violating these restrictions can lead to administrative penalties under veterinary safety regulations.
Authorities emphasize that the main objective is to prevent the virus from spreading northward into central Catalonia and Girona. Over 1,100 wild boars have already been caught, and 185 special animal barriers have been set up to stop the disease from advancing. Despite all efforts, the risk cannot be completely eliminated, but as El Pais notes, the measures taken have already contained the outbreak within 18 municipalities.
Context and previous experience
Imposing strict restrictions and large-scale animal culling are not the only steps Catalan authorities are taking to protect the population and agriculture. The region has previously faced the need for emergency measures in the social sphere, such as launching new benefits for seriously ill patients, as was the case with support for ELA patients — details about the new payments for ELA patients.
African swine fever is a viral disease that threatens domestic and wild pigs but does not pose a risk to humans. In recent years, ASF outbreaks have occurred in different European countries, leading to mass culling of animals and significant economic losses. Spain has already implemented such measures in other regions, but such a large-scale operation near a major city is being carried out for the first time. ASF outbreaks often result in the closure of natural areas, stricter sanitary controls, and temporary restrictions on the movement of people and transport in affected areas.
