‘Illegally dumped’ feral pigs captured and culled 

Park rangers have captured and humanely culled a number of feral pigs that may have been illegally released in the Cairngorms. 

The Cairngorms National Park Authority said the pigs were first seen near the Uath Lochans area, which is near the small community of Insh. It said they appeared to have been illegally abandoned and staff were attempting to capture the “relatively domesticated” animals. 

The pigs were spotted about five miles from where four lynx were illegally released in the park last month (News, 15 January). 

Last year, feral pigs were said to be out of control in the Highlands’ Great Glen. The animals were blamed for killing sheep and damaging grazing land. This prompted calls for a reduction in their numbers, with some estimates of their population across Scotland as high as several thousand. 

Ross Ewing, director of moorland at Scottish Land & Estates, said of the most recent suspected release: “This appears to be a reckless and illegal act which demonstrates a total disregard for both animal welfare and the wider environment. 

“Those responsible for these incidents show little concern for the welfare of the species they release or the serious impacts they could have.”