Effects of wild boar (<i>Sus scrofa</i>) on farming activities: A case study of Turkey

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to determine the effects of wild boar (Sus scrofa) on farming activities in Samsun, Turkey. The presence and damages of wild boar was monitored by means of direct and indirect observations. Wild boar was the main cause of the decision made by farmers, concerning which area they want to cultivate. Intensity of damage was high in areas close to the woodland areas. Crops losses, from areas close to woodland (up to 100 m), contributed to more than 60% of the total losses for each crop. Some farmed areas, especially those areas located in the nearest woodland, were given up to agricultural activities due to the wild boar damages, particularly in the last five years. Before this date, wild boar population has a very low rate and damages were only one or two reports in one farming season. Wild boar population was determined by the point counts method. Population size of wild boar was counted as 64 individuals and wild boar density was determined as 7.11 individual 100 ha^-1. This case study showed that wild boar damages were the main subject that shaped farming activities in the region.

Key words: Wild boar, crop damages, Sus scrofa, Turkey.