The age structure and sex ratio in wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations as determined by observations of free-roaming populations and by harvests of collective hunts in southern Poland

Abstract

Wild boars shot during collective hunts, where there are no limitations pertaining to sex and age of the harvested animals, may properly represent the sex and age structure of the population. Thus, the objective of the presented study was to compare sex and age structures evaluated via the results of collective hunts, with those based on direct observations between December 2009 and January 2010, in the large complex of the Bory Dolnośląskie forest (BD) and in the farmland-forest mosaic of the Lasy Śląskie forest (LS). There were no significant differences between the sex and age structures of the population determined via observations and those based on harvests collected in both the BD forest and the LS forest. It was shown that the age and sex structure in the wild boar population assessed purely on the basis of observation was significantly different between the BD forest and the LS forest. The calculated differences in the age and sex structures for the wild boar harvested in the study areas were also significant. It is suggested that the age and sex structure of wild boars harvested in collective hunts should be certified by using data from direct observations of free-rooming wild boar populations.

First report of wild boar susceptibility to Porcine circovirus type 3: High prevalence in the Colli Euganei Regional Park (Italy) in the absence of clinical signs

“…As an adult female to male ratio of approximately 2 has been reported by other authors (Merta, Bobek, Albrycht, & Furtek, ), our data could be representative of the actual population structure. However, considering the unavoidable convenience nature of this kind of sampling, other factors such as a lower likelihood of capturing adult males because of behavioural differences could have affected the sex representativeness.…”

The influence of environmental and physiological factors on the litter size of wild boar ( Sus scrofa ) in an agriculture dominated area in Germany

“…A possible explanation might be that the hunting index is not reliable enough as indication for the population density. Based on Acevedo et al (2007), Merta et al (2015) and Vetter et al (2015) we assumed that the age structure and density of the culled wild boar sows are representative for the age structure and density of the studied wild boar population. Another reason might be that the population density is on a moderate level (far away from carrying capacity) so that densitydependent changes in life-history traits that occur at population levels close to carrying capacity (Zedrosser et al, 2006) does not act here.…”

The Fluctuation in Wild Boar Population in the Hunting Area in Eastern Croatia

“…According to Merta et al (2015), wild boar population sex ratio and the age structure can be appropriately displayed by direct observations of the animals in their environments, presented that the sampling is well distributed over time and place. -A-two-year-old, B-three-year-old, C, D-older than 4 years; 2 (male) -A-three-yearold, B-eight-year-old.…”

“…According to Merta et al (2015), breeding and existence of a wild boar population are formed by the quality and availability of the food supply, hiding and thermal cover, climate, climate conditions, large predators and hunting. Especially, age groups of wild boars differ in rates of survival and fertility.…”