Wild Boars Gone Wild in Barcelona: Friendly (Yet Dangerous) Neighborhood Visitors
In the sunny streets of Barcelona and beyond, a new wildlife trend is taking over: villages are seeing bunches of wild boars roaming around like they own the place. While these pigs look cute, they’re not so harmless— and the city is scrapping… capturing and downing them.
Boar Appeal: Trash, Treats & Attention
Food—especially garbage bins and occasional handouts—has made the boars a magnet for plenty of unsuspecting traffic accidents and bag-solver hassles.
- Think scooters or bikes being side‑skipped by boar‑brisket‑obsessed creatures.
- Imagine people jogging with shopping bags, only to be “helped” with a snout and a splash.
Case in Point: A Seaside Slipup
Just this month, a girl in Cadaques (a beach town north of Barcelona) was rushed to a hospital after a bout with a boar. Turns out, some stressed animals can’t help but turn an innocent stroll into a slapstick scene.
Wild Boars Re-Recorded in Numbers
Last year alone, Barcelona logged a whopping 1,200 boar incidents. That’s one boar for every 60 residents— if we think of it like a bovine invasion force.
Pop Culture Meets Porcine Prowess
Even Colombian popstar Shakira got a taste of the boar life. “They kicked us up in a park,” she recalled—probably a brief cameo in the wild boar film that’s running for the series on the streets.
The Human Angle: Veterinarian’s Confession
“No vet wants to kill a creature that’s usually a gift to the granddaughter’s maternity farm,” says Carles Conejero, a vet technician in Barcelona overseeing the problem. But the unfortunate truth is a safety measure— no one wants anyone eating the labels on the grocery bag.
Boars may have lost some of their wild instincts (thanks to decades of food sharing and abundant garbage), but that doesn’t make them harmless. City councils and emergency crews are stepping up to keep both the pigs and the people safe, even if it means pulling out a force field (aka a net) and turning those boars into well‑trained cage‑birds—but there are still no plans to release them back into the wild.
Keep an eye out for the curious, hungry, and not exactly city-crafty piggy compatriots when strolling next time. It’s a new era of humans and wild boars— in a breeze of coop asylum, which may work, but sometimes… there’s still a lot of biting back!
<img alt="" data-caption="A group of boars walks past as Jordi Amat walks with his dogs, through Las Planas neighbourhood in the Collserola Natural Park in Barcelona, Spain, on Aug 10, 2022.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”3b2cb730-d9ce-40bc-8886-64f4b689b79c” src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/EBTFBUVLLBMAVE3ROMU3Y3UVUQ.jpeg”/>
Oops! The Boar Brawl Goes Viral on the Good Side
That same night, Conejero and his crew pulled out the big guns—literally—and unleashed a cascade of drop nets at a wild boar breeding circle. Picture a wild bunch of boars screaming like a flock of startled pigeons, only louder, before the crew gently sedates and, to keep the story twisty, ends the party with a quick, quiet euthanasia.
Behind the Scenes: A Roaring Rehearsal
- Targeted Group: A breeding squad of boars, all ready for a chaotic night.
- Tactic: Drop nets for a swift, non‑lethal apprehension.
- Soundtrack: A chorus of squeals that could compete with any karaoke night.
- Result: Quick sedation and an orderly exit for the animals.
As the last boar folded into Zip‑Folded velcro, Conejero couldn’t help but chuckle, saying, “This is the worst part of the job.” That line, half‑serious, half‑sarcastic, captured the crew’s raw mix of relief and frustration as they hauled up the animals and loaded them into the van.
Bye, Bye Boars: A Touching Finale
With the cause of the wety and tearful news, Conejero’s crew had to wrap up the night’s wild adventure. In a riff on the usual fable, the van stood like a solemn tribute to the boars’ brief circus that had just happened.
<img alt="" data-caption="A wild boar is trapped with a drop-net as part of a program to control their presence in the urban areas along the edge with Collserola Natural Park in Barcelona, Spain, on July 26, 2022.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”15b2beba-a4e1-4439-a1f5-274b3080197d” src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/S4MKSOA3NJM3BD5AS6NDW4O74U.jpeg”/>
Meet the New City Cats: Wild Boars Taking Over Barcelona
It’s not exactly a new problem in Spain, but the COVID‑19 lockdowns gave a boost to the once‑tamed wild boar craze. As city life slowed, these hefty mammals found themselves wandering through quieter streets, turning quiet neighborhoods into impromptu safari trails.
What’s Barcelona Doing About It?
- Tricky trash bins – The city is fortifying bins so the boars can’t get to them.
- Fine‑forcing – Residents who feed the boars will soon see a slap on their wallet.
- Awareness campaigns – Plaques, socials, and the occasional celebrity endorsement to let people know: feeding the boars is a no‑no.
- Captures on schedule – Targeted culls keep the situation under control.
After each capture, scientists examine the dead boars, scouring them for diseases and studying what they munch on. That data helps shape safe policies.
Local Voices
“They’re no longer just wild animals; they’re like neighborhood cats, prowling about, toppling a business with their paws,” says Alex, 40, holding a passionate beat. He’s joined many locals in the pledge: feeding the boars? Ack‑no‑yes.
Why All the Fuss?
The Royal Institute of Hunting Resources in Spain projects that the wild boar population will surpass 2 million next year. That’s like, a lot of boars for a small country. With numbers this high, the city needs a plan that’s both practical and kinder than a cooking show.
So, buckle up, Barcelona. The wild boars are on the move, and you’re about to be part of an animal‑friendly adventure that’ll keep your streets safe and your wallet—somewhat—intact.
