They've been hunted for years, yet they're still here. What keeps them in Norway?
The latest data from the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) shows that the wild boar population in Norway remains stable. The authorities' goal is the complete removal of this species from the country.
Camera traps are a key monitoring tool.
Fot. Adobe Stock, licencja standardowa (zdjęcie poglądowe)
A network of camera traps indicates that wild boars are regularly recorded in the southeastern part of Norway. Devices placed in the field provide information about the animals' activity and numbers.
The collected data is combined with hunting reports, allowing for a better assessment of population trends. This method enables observation of seasonal changes and identification of migration patterns. Camera traps are currently the primary tool used for monitoring the species.
The collected data is combined with hunting reports, allowing for a better assessment of population trends. This method enables observation of seasonal changes and identification of migration patterns. Camera traps are currently the primary tool used for monitoring the species.
A species causing concern among farmers
Wild boars are a controversial species in Norway. On the one hand, they are a popular hunting target; on the other, they raise concerns about the possible spread of African swine fever. The disease can be transmitted between wild boars and domestic pigs, posing a risk to the livestock sector.
The animals also cause damage to farmland, especially in cultivated areas. For this reason, the authorities are consistently striving to limit and ultimately remove the population.
The animals also cause damage to farmland, especially in cultivated areas. For this reason, the authorities are consistently striving to limit and ultimately remove the population.
The largest number of wild boars live in the Østfold region.Photo: Adobe Stock, standard license
Stable population in the Østfold region
Most wild boars live in Halden and Aremark in Østfold. In the 2024/2025 hunting season, 334 out of 380 reported culls came from these two municipalities. Researchers estimate that between 450 and 700 individuals live in the region.
Occasional sightings have also been recorded in Akershus and Innlandet. Despite intense hunting pressure, the population remains stable, indicating high reproductive rates and migration of wild boars from Sweden.
Occasional sightings have also been recorded in Akershus and Innlandet. Despite intense hunting pressure, the population remains stable, indicating high reproductive rates and migration of wild boars from Sweden.
Further observation and data analysis needed
Scientists emphasize the need for continued monitoring. They point out that rapid detection of changes in the population is crucial, especially in the context of infectious disease risks. Research from southern Europe shows that reducing the population requires culling more than half of the animals.
However, effectiveness depends on environmental conditions and the structure of the culls, especially the proportion of females. Experts also note that all estimates carry a certain degree of uncertainty.
However, effectiveness depends on environmental conditions and the structure of the culls, especially the proportion of females. Experts also note that all estimates carry a certain degree of uncertainty.
Species history and monitoring system
The wild boar monitoring program has been operating in Norway since 2019. It is run by NINA on behalf of the environmental and agricultural directorates. It is based on camera traps, hunting data, and reports of dead animals.
Wild boars were a natural part of Norway's fauna about a thousand years ago, but at some point became extinct. They returned to Norway in the 1990s from southern Sweden, and their breeding has been confirmed since 2005.
Wild boars were a natural part of Norway's fauna about a thousand years ago, but at some point became extinct. They returned to Norway in the 1990s from southern Sweden, and their breeding has been confirmed since 2005.
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