Wild boar

Wild boar- Sus scrofa

The wild boar is the ancestor of the domestic pig. Among the wild animals living in Europe is the only representative of its kind. Its current natural range extends from the northern tip of Africa through central and southern Eurasia. Except for the natural range of occurrence, it is considered to be an invasive species. This mammal is very numerous in almost the whole country, from the coast of the Baltic Sea to the north, up to the mountains, where it reaches the upper floors of the forest. The boar in Karkonosze resides mainly in the foothills and the lower valleys, in the forests and surrounding farm lands. With the increasing number, the height range of this species occurrence is gradually increasing as well – more and more individuals appear in higher parts of the massif, eg in the upper stratum. Single wild boars have been recorded in recent years up to 1250 m asl. At such altitudes, however, the species appears sporadically, not exceeding the upper limit of the forest. This “vertical” migration is associated (among other factors), with the successful redevelopment of spruce monocultures to mixed forest cultures - much more attractive for wild boars, due to the richer food base.