Ale municipality in western Sweden is exploring an unconventional solution to its growing wild boar problem: serving the animals as food in schools and elderly care facilities. According to reports from P4 Göteborg, local politicians have approved investigating the possibility of preparing and serving wild boar meat in municipal operations.
The decision comes as wild boar populations have increased dramatically in the Gothenburg area. During the 2024-2025 hunting season, nearly 300 wild boars were culled in the region, representing an increase of about 200 percent from the previous year.
We hope it leads to increased culling, especially near urban areas. Considering the public, we can get less damage in people's gardens, less damage on playgrounds that cost taxpayer money,
Eddie Glans (M), chairman of the community building committee in Ale municipality, described the initiative as a 'win-win-win' situation. 'We hope it leads to increased culling, especially near urban areas. Considering the public, we can get less damage in people's gardens, less damage on playgrounds that cost taxpayer money,' Glans told P4 Göteborg.
The municipality hopes to begin serving the meat as early as this fall, but implementation depends on hunters being willing to sell the meat. Before wild boar meat can be served, it must undergo trichinella testing and other safety checks.
The proposal aims to address both the nuisance caused by wild boars digging up gardens and damaging playgrounds, while potentially providing a local food source for municipal institutions.