Finnish border guards prevent dozens of wild boars from crossing the border between Finland and Russia
Around a hundred wild boars have gathered near Finland's eastern border, unable to return to Russia via their usual migration route. The reason is an outbreak of African swine fever, reports the publication Yle.
Illustrative image. Photo: magnific.com
Wild boars live on both sides of the Finnish-Russian border and usually move freely between the countries in search of food. However, after the virus was detected in dead wild boar piglets in the Vaalimaa area in southern Finland, Finnish border guards temporarily closed special gates for wild animal crossings.
Specialists fear that if the usual route remains blocked, the wild boars could start moving westward, spreading the infection. Therefore, the animals are temporarily fed to prevent them from leaving the dangerous zone.
Finnish authorities are also considering the possibility of installing additional fencing, but its construction could take several months.
In the areas of Vaalimaa, Miehikkälä, and southern Lappeenranta, hunting, logging, and walking dogs without a leash have been temporarily prohibited. Additionally, within a three-kilometer zone around the location where infected piglets were found near Vaalimaa, collecting berries and mushrooms is forbidden.
Such measures should help prevent the further spread of African swine fever.