A pregnant horse has been devoured by a sounder of wild boars on the Costa del Sol, sparking calls for government intervention.
The horrific killing occured on a rural estate in Estepona, reviving long-standing concerns over the uncontrolled growth of the species in the region.
According to the estate’s owner, several boar set upon the horse and effectively ‘ate her alive’, in what he described as a ‘cruel’ death.
He has called for stronger protections for livestock and rural properties to prevent a similar tragedy.
The PSOE party said in a statement: ‘This morning, a pack of wild boars killed a pregnant mare in broad daylight.
‘The animal’s owner sent us the images, showing the severity of the incident.
‘Residents of Selwo, El Padrón, and Guadalobón have been warning for months about the increase in wild boars in garbage areas and incidents involving pets.
‘They say the problem continues to worsen. Meanwhile, the City Council has done very little.
‘It is urgent that they convey to the Regional Government the need for capture cages and controlled hunts to prevent further attacks.
‘We must act now. The safety of residents and animals is at risk.’
Once largely confined to mountain terrain, the animals are now increasingly seen wandering through residential estates, golf courses, public parks and even beaches.
Sightings have become routine in municipalities such as Mijas, Benalmadena and Fuengirola.
One recent episode in La Cala saw a small group strolling calmly through residential streets, drawing alarm on social media.
Changes to their natural habitat, chiefly, its depletion, have forced them to seek shelter and food sources elsewhere.
Residential areas act as an additional pull, with water from garden irrigation systems, edible waste and manicured green spaces all providing ideal foraging conditions.
The animals’ reproductive capacity accelerates the problem. While one litter per year is typical, an abundance of resources can increase both the frequency of births and the number of offspring, fuelling even faster population growth.
