Stopping the spread of wild boar ASF… Object density management and AI use with unmanned aerial vehicles

81% occurred in Gyeongbuk… Expansion of virus genetic analysis
Complete reform of the wildlife disease management system by 2026

▲ (Ministry of Environment)

The Ministry of Environment announced on the 3rd that it will promote measures to prevent the spread of ASF, focusing on areas with concentrated African swine fever (ASF), such as Gyeongbuk, as the winter season is favorable for capturing and searching wild boars. As of October this year, there were 682 cases of wild boar ASF that occurred nationwide, of which 81.2% (554 cases) occurred in Gyeongbuk.

In winter, the range of activity of wild boars increases due to the breeding season, and the survival period of the virus increases due to lower temperatures. Unlike the summer season, when the bushes are thick, visibility is secured, which is advantageous for capturing and searching wild boars.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Environment is focusing its resources on capturing and searching for wild boars, focusing on Gyeongbuk. Previously, 5,010 wild boars were captured and searched using thermal imaging drones in Gyeongbuk (an 89% increase from the previous year), and based on that data, 10 thermal imaging drones, 1,500 GPS (Global Location Information System)-based capture traps, and wild boars were installed. Existing scientific equipment, including 10 cadaver detection dogs, will be strategically redeployed from January next year to continue population density management.

Virus genetic analysis will also be expanded to strengthen surveillance of viruses spread by artificial factors and prevent the spread of diseases. Nationwide virus testing of hunters and hunting tools will be conducted by October next year. Genetic analysis will also be increased from 1,500 cases per year to more than 2,000 cases to predict domestic and international transmission routes and scope and to respond to fraudulent activities targeting wild boar capture rewards.

The wildlife disease management system operated by the National Wildlife Disease Control and Prevention Agency will also be completely reorganized by 2026 to evaluate the risk of virus spread by incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) technology and enable faster quarantine work. From today, we will begin research on ‘wild boar habitat density suitable for the domestic environment’ according to the characteristics of each region and environment, and also derive the appropriate wild boar habitat density for each region.

In order to improve the sustainability and flexibility of quarantine management, the use of leaf dogs will be permitted on a pilot basis from January next year in some areas of Gangwon-do (Goseong, Sokcho, Yangyang) where ASF has not occurred for more than a year. In order to increase the effectiveness of rescuing goats and other animals during heavy snowfall and to analyze the effect of movement of wild animals, the partial opening points of the wild boar barrier fence will be expanded from the existing 21 to 44.

Kim Tae-o, director of the Ministry of Environment’s Nature Conservation Bureau, said, “Winter is a time when risks and opportunities exist as the range of wild boars increases, but there are also advantages to capturing them,” adding, “We will strengthen our response focusing on the Gyeongbuk region in cooperation with local governments and other related organizations. “We will do our best to prevent the spread of the virus by strengthening the management of anthropogenic factors and scientific-based research,” he said.