After weeks of increasing sightings of wild boars in Cartagena, the Ministry of the Environment has initiated a plan to capture these animals. Cages are being installed around the city as part of a cooperative effort with Cartagena City Council. Regional Environment Councillor Juan María Vázquez confirmed that the first trap has been set, although the process is expected to be ongoing and may take some time.

The sighting of wild boars in urban areas first came to light in August, with residents in La Concepción and Nueva Cartagena sharing videos of the animals at night. The situation worsened in September, when officials disclosed that any captured boars would have to be euthanised, as European Union laws prohibit the relocation of the animals. By early October, sightings became nearly daily, with boars observed crossing busy roads and rummaging through rubbish bins.

The traps are part of a planned approach to address the situation effectively. Authorities will bait the traps and monitor the boars’ activity for up to ten days before any potential capture. Unfortunately, due to EU regulations, any boars caught in the traps cannot be released into the wild and will have to be disposed of appropriately. Local councillor José Ramón Llorca expressed hope that the issue could be resolved by the end of the month.

Officials are urging locals to exercise caution and avoid approaching the situations with the wild boars, particularly when walking pets. One local driver recounted a narrow escape when a city bus almost collided with a herd near the Cartagonova stadium. As the city enforces this new strategy, residents are watching closely to see if the traps will effectively resolve the ongoing wild boar saga.