nearly 900,000 wild boars were killed in France during the 2024-2025 season, a figure that has doubled in 20 years

Eight departments recorded sample increases of more than 25%. The proliferation of this species is mainly caused by global warming.

Nearly 900,000 wild boars were killed in France during the 2024-2025 hunting season, from September to February, reports ICI (formerly France Bleu) based on a report published in mid-November by the French Biodiversity Office (OFB) and the National Hunters’ Federation (FNC). With 881,372 animals slaughtered this season, yields increased by 2.1% compared to the previous season (863,124) and have doubled in twenty years. There were nearly 447,597 in 2005.

Gard tops the ranking of the worst affected regions, with 31,776 wild boars killed, ahead of Ardèche (24,261), Dordogne (23,122), Loir-et-Cher (22,793), Hérault (21,875) and Côte-d’Or (20,310).

Eight departments recorded sample increases of more than 25%, most notably Corse-du-Sud (+117%), Haute-Vienne and Territoire de Belfort (+35%), while four departments saw declines of more than 20%, including Calvados (-34%) and Loir-et-Cher (-27%).

“Wild boars are now everywhere in France, from the sea to the mountains,” notes Matthieu Salvaudon, director of the ‘major animal damage’ service at the National Federation of Hunters. This species, which is very adaptable, can now be seen even in suburban areas or even on the coast of the Vendée.

According to the FNC, several factors explain this expansion: the development of forest areas and wastelands, the evolution of agricultural practices that favor protection, global warming that reduces winter wild boar mortality, and the development of suburban areas where hunting is difficult.