Delete
One of the signs warning that feeding wild animals is prohibited in Mijas.
Mijas puts signs up prohibiting people from feeding wild animals

Mijas puts signs up prohibiting people from feeding wild animals

The problem of wild boar and pigs inhabiting urban areas is made worse by some residents, predominantly foreigners, who put food down for them

I. LILLO / H. BARBOTTA

Friday, 23 October 2020, 13:51

Compartir

The problem of wild boar and pigs inhabiting urban areas is made worse by some residents, predominantly foreigners, who like them and put food down for them, even though they are wild animals. Logically, this attracts more of them to the area, especially mothers with their young, and that causes even greater concern for pedestrians and drivers.

"At this rate I'm going to have to dress like a bullfighter when I take the rubbish out," said one resident on social media. Although so far there have been no reports of anyone being attacked by the animals, there have been several accidents involving cars and motorcycles which collided with them in the middle of the road, especially at night.

Mijas council has put signs up reminding people that it is prohibited to feed wild animals. Aranzazu López, the councillor for the Environment, admits that there are now considerable numbers of wild boar and different types of pigs frequenting the area, and her department has received many complaints. They in turn pass these on to the regional government's Ministry of Agriculture, Fishing and Sustainable Development, because the councillor says this is something they have to deal with. Her team are also holding meetings with ministry representatives to coordinate measures to stop the animals coming down to urban areas.

With regard to the signs banning the feeding of wild animals, she said, "We have seen that in some areas people are putting food down for them, and that attracts them.

"We are asking people to make sure they deposit their bags of rubbish properly in the street containers because otherwise the animals will come looking for it and that can be dangerous."

Although the Junta de Andalucía authorises the use of packs of dogs to chase the boar and pigs away, and their capture in cages, López prefers a softer approach, calling on people to abide by the rules to prevent undesirable situations occurring.

Reporta un error en esta noticia

* Campos obligatorios