Emerging urban presence of wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Türkiye and potential drivers
14. International Symposium on Wild Boar and Other Suids, Zagreb, Hırvatistan, 9 - 11 Eylül 2026, ss.25, (Özet Bildiri)
- Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
- Basıldığı Şehir: Zagreb
- Basıldığı Ülke: Hırvatistan
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.25
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Over recent decades, wild boar populations have expanded and increasingly adapted to peri-urban and urban environments globally, intensifying human–wildlife conflicts. This study examines reported wild boar occurrences in Türkiye within this context. Data were obtained through systematic screening of national and local news sources and social media platforms. Keywords such as “wild boar” and “urban wild boar sightings” were used to identify relevant reports. The dataset reflects documented human– wild boar encounters rather than population density; therefore, results are interpreted as indicators of public visibility rather than abundance. Wild boars are widely distributed across all regions of Türkiye. In Western and Southern Anatolia, particularly in coastal and tourism-oriented urban centers, wild boars are reported more frequently in urban environments, suggesting higher adaptation and persistence. In Central and Eastern Anatolia, sightings are mainly associated with rural settlements and adjacent agricultural lands, often linked to winter foraging. Potential drivers include direct food provisioning and indirect anthropogenic food sources, such as pet food left outdoors for stray animals, which may attract wild boars. Additional factors include deficiencies in municipal waste management, insufficient regulatory oversight, and varying societal attitudes toward wildlife. However, these should be considered explanatory hypotheses rather than confirmed causal mechanisms due to data limitations. In conclusion, mitigating these conflicts in Türkiye likely requires an integrated approach combining improved municipal waste management, public awareness campaigns discouraging intentional feeding, regulatory measures to restrict or prohibit leaving food for wild boars and stray animals in urban areas, and contextspecific population control. Municipalities play a critical role through timely waste collection and reducing attractants that facilitate wildlife intrusion into settlements. Strengthening local implementation capacity is essential for long-term mitigation.