Prague 5 has begun offering financial incentives to hunters to cull overpopulated wild boars, after residents reported frequent sightings near homes, parks, and local streets. The district aims to reduce encounters that have raised safety concerns among locals and visitors alike.
The issue has become a growing concern in the district as wild boars can cause property damage, threaten pets, and create unpredictable encounters in urban areas. Residents have reported seeing large groups of the animals in parks, near apartment buildings, and along pedestrian paths, prompting authorities to act.
Rapid population growth a public concern
Experts say the boar population in Prague has grown rapidly in recent years, with some sows giving birth to as many as 12 piglets per year. František Čuba, chairman of the Prague 5 and 6 Hunting Association, said three boars have already been culled since the campaign began in mid-October, two in Košíře and one in Řeporyje.
“Hunters have long targeted these areas, but the city’s incentive adds extra motivation to reduce risks,” he said. As shooting is not allowed in residential areas, hunters use traps to safely capture boars within Prague.
Residents have shared first-hand accounts of encounters. Speaking to iDnes.cz, one local described seeing three adult females with around twenty piglets in Jinonice and reported that her dogs were attacked by a wild boar near Plzeňská Street.
While no serious injuries have been reported, the close proximity to housing has alarmed the community, prompting the district to act. Prague 5 is now offering CZK 1,000 for each wild boar culled, verified through hunting permits, photos, and trichinosis testing.
The city has authorized hunting without restrictions on age, sex, or number of animals in designated areas. On non-hunting land owned by the city, the municipal forestry organization Lesy hl. m. Prahy (LHMP) uses trapping cages with bait such as corn and bread to capture boars safely.
“The summer brought a surge of reports from residents, and we acted to address both their safety concerns and the growing population of wild boars,” says Prague 5 mayor Lukáš Herold. He added that the incentive program is being evaluated over the coming year to determine its effectiveness.
Wild boar safety in Prague
The presence of wild boars can affect daily routines including walking pets, commuting through parks, and outdoor leisure activities. While experts stress that uninjured boars typically avoid humans, they advise maintaining distance, keeping dogs leashed, and avoiding sudden movements or loud noises near the animals.
Václav Neuman of LHMP explained that boars are cautious and protective of their young. “A sow may act defensively if it perceives a threat, but the animals generally do not attack without provocation,” he said. Residents are encouraged to report sightings to local authorities to help monitor and manage the population.
The wild boar issue is not unique to Prague. Across the Czech Republic and much of Central Europe, urban expansion and lack of natural predators have led to more frequent human-boar encounters. Municipalities are increasingly using incentives, controlled hunting, and public education campaigns to mitigate risks.
Prague 5 plans to continue monitoring the boar population and adjust hunting and trapping strategies as needed. Residents are advised to stay vigilant in parks and wooded areas and to follow safety guidelines provided by the city and municipal forestry services. The initiative will be reassessed at the end of the year to determine whether it should continue or expand.