Potential Climatic Suitability Distribution Model for Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) in South Africa

Abstract

European wild boar (Sus scrofa) are invasive in many parts of the world. We assessed the potential for invasive spread by the wild boar in South Africa by determining potentially suitable habitats using bioclimatic variables and the maximum entropy model, which we then related to the present distribution records of the species in the country. We found that the wild boar has great potential to extend its invasive distribution range in South Africa. The most suitable habitats were in provinces with coastal boundaries, namely the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. Additionally, through an online questionnaire, we found out that of the participants, only 26.9% knew of the prevalence of wild boar, 29.5% about human–wild boar conflict, and 29.6% knew of hunting sites for the species; however, the majority (62.9%) knew of the species on the National Alien and Invasive Species List. Moreover, we also recorded localities of prevalence and hunting sites within KwaZulu-Natal province. Wild boar's prevalence in South Africa must be strictly monitored and controlled as stipulated by the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act regulations to prevent its spread and negative impacts on biodiversity and the agriculture sector, as evident elsewhere.