A new study commissioned by the regional government has uncovered a significant presence of wild boars in the protected natural parks of Sierra Espuña and Sierra del Carche in the Region of Murcia. The research indicates that there are nearly two wild boars living per square kilometre in these areas. While this number is lower than in other parts of Spain, it is still notable given the popularity of these parks among nature enthusiasts and hikers.

The study was carried out by the University of Murcia’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in collaboration with the Institute for Research in Game Resources. A network of eighty camera traps placed across the parks recorded approximately one hundred ninety wild boar sightings in both parks over six weeks. In addition to boars, the cameras captured various wildlife species, including Barbary sheep, mountain goats, foxes, badgers, and even a confirmed sighting of a female roe deer, marking a notable discovery in the Sierra del Carche.

Using advanced artificial intelligence through the AGOUTI wildlife monitoring platform, researchers were able to automatically identify species, count the animals, and track their movements from the captured images. Subsequently, data accuracy was manually verified to ensure reliable results. Around thirteen thousand wild boars are removed annually from the Region of Murcia through hunting, but precise estimates of their populations have been lacking.

The findings from this study will inform future strategies to manage wild boar populations, especially in agricultural and semi-urban areas where the animals frequently come into contact with humans. Furthermore, the methodology developed in this study presents a useful template for monitoring other species found within these parks.