Le blog de fukushima-is-still-news

December 12, 2013

Boar-pig hybrids increasing in Fukushima towns

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20131212_17.html

Animals believed to be hybrids of domestic pigs and wild boars are increasing in parts of Fukushima Prefecture affected by the 2011 nuclear accident.

NHK contacted 11 municipalities where residents are still unable to return to their homes due to the radioactive fallout from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

Officials in 5 of them said the animals appear to be on the rise. Pigs that were left behind have gone wild.

The town of Tomioka has reported 17 cases where hybrids broke into houses and barns in search of food.

The Environment Ministry says the animals give birth to more calves than wild boars, which have around 10 offspring annually.

Ministry officials and local hunters are culling the animals as they could hamper residents from returning home.