Hunting for 'illegally released' wild boars in the Highlands.

Hunting for 'illegally  released' wild boars in  the Highlands.

A wild  boar looks at the camera. It has a long snout and dark brown fur. Other pigs stand behind it  and look around. They are in a  holding pattern. Getty  Images
Rangers are trying to  catch wild boars that may have been  released illegally in the  Cairngorms. The Cairngorms National Park Authority said the pigs were  spotted on Monday near the Uath Lochans area of  the Highland Park, which is  close to the small community of  Insh.
It said they appeared to have been illegally  dumped and  that staff were  trying to capture the  "relatively tame" animals.
The pigs were spotted about five  kilometres from where four  lynxes were illegally released  into the park last  month.
The big cats were successfully  captured, but one died shortly  afterwards.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) said they  were highly stressed after being abandoned in a new and  "extremely challenging" environment. A spokesperson for the park authority said on social media:  "We are aware that  wild boars have been  seen in an area of  the Cairngorms National Park near Uath  Lochans.
"The park authority is working closely with partners  – including NatureScot and Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS)  – to  verify all facts on the ground and FLS is currently attempting to trap the  animals.
"The animals appear to be relatively domesticated and it is likely that this  was an illegal  release." The park authority condemns any illegal release of animals in the strongest possible  terms."

"Reckless and  unlawful action"
The Cairngorms National Park is the  largest national  park in the UK, covering 4,527km² and  comprising parts of five local authorities  – Aberdeenshire, Angus, Highland, Moray and Perth and  Kinross.
Scottish Land and Estates (SLE), which supports rural businesses, condemned the "reckless"  post and  urged anyone with information to contact  police. Ross Ewing, director of SLE, said:  "This is a reckless and illegal act  that shows a  complete disregard for  the welfare  of animals and the wider  environment.
"We have seen the tragic consequences of  the illegal release of lynx last  month, which resulted in the death of one of the  animals.
"Those responsible for these incidents  have little  regard for the welfare of the species they  are releasing or the serious  consequences they  can have."
Last year,  wild boar herds were  reported to be  running out of control in the Great  Glen in the Highlands.
The animals  have been accused of killing sheep and damaging  pastures on  farms and  ranches.
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Views from the  forest show Great  Glen wild boars roaming  through the trees
This  has prompted calls for a reduction in  the number of pigs, which include escapees and others  who have been illegally released  into the wild. There are thought to be  several thousand animals  in Scotland.
A NatureScot spokesman said:  "We are aware of a number of sightings of  wild boar in the Insh  area.
"FLS is responsible for the capture of these animals and we are  working with partner agencies to  establish the  exact circumstances of  their arrival in the  region."
NatureScot added that Police Scotland had been informed of the  situation but that the police  were not currently involved.
Police Scotland's investigation into the illegal release of the lynx  is ongoing.
The three surviving cats are being cared for at  the RZSS Zoo in Edinburgh. To assist the police investigation,  the RZSS said no details  were provided regarding the sex  of the lynx  or whether they were microchipped.
Regarding the lynx investigation, Police Scotland said:  "Investigations are ongoing and any  updates will be  published proactively on our website, social media channels and as a press  release.