'Feral' pigs in the Cairngorms located as experts work to 'humanely' capture them

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Animal experts have located and are working to trap a number of illegally released “feral” pigs in the Cairngorms.On February 10, the animals were released in the Uath Lochans area of the park, and the Cairngorms National Park Authority said they seemed to be “relatively domesticated”.On Tuesday, Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) said its staff are trying to humanely trap the now-located animals, stating it would take advice from NatureScot and Police Scotland on what to do with them.

It said the pigs must be contained for their own welfare and also due to the risk of spreading diseases through the park.FLS north region area wildlife manager Tom Cameron said: Forestry and Land Scotland North Region Area Wildlife Manager Tom Cameron said: “FLS staff have located the pigs and are now working to contain them.“As we work to do this, we are asking anyone not involved with the operation to stay away from the area so trained staff can do their job and the animals are not unduly stressed or startled.“From their behaviour, it is apparent that these are domesticated pigs and the hope is we can live trap the group using a corral trapping system.

Once caught, FLS will take advice from NatureScot and Police Scotland on what to do with them.”He added: “It is important to contain the pigs.

This is for their own welfare and because we don’t know their origin or whether there is the potential for them to spread any disease across domesticated livestock in the area.”Police Scotland said it is aware of the incident, but is not actively involved at this stage.