Wild boar hunters on the frontline: African swine fever surveillance practices and biosecurity on hunting grounds in Ukraine

Abstract

African swine fever (ASF) has persisted in Ukraine's wild boar population since its detection in 2014, particularly in regions bordering Belarus, Poland, Hungary, and Moldova. The long-term circulation of ASF virus (ASFV), combined with low numbers of hunted wild boars, raises concerns about the effectiveness of surveillance and control measures. This study assessed how the ongoing full-scale war in Ukraine has affected hunting ground operations and evaluated hunters' awareness, practices, and perceptions related to ASF surveillance and biosecurity in wild boar management. We conducted 74 telephone surveys with hunters across 19 regions between December 2022 and January 2023. All respondents were male; most were aged 31-60, had formal education in hunting management, and over 10 years of experience. Respondents reported major war-related disruptions, including staff shortages due to mobilization, damaged infrastructure, restricted access to areas affected by occupation, active hostilities, or landmines and reduced expenditure on habitat maintenance. Most respondents reported that wild boar carcass monitoring was not conducted regularly, and that found carcasses were often not tested for ASFV in a laboratory. Some respondents also indicated that suspected ASF cases may not always be reported. Practices related to carcass handling, storage pending laboratory results, and the biosecurity standard of dressing facilities were inconsistent. These findings indicate that the war has substantially disrupted hunting operations and likely constrained ASF surveillance and control. Targeted hunter education, improved infrastructure, practical biosecurity guidance, and enhanced operational support are needed to mitigate ASF risks under wartime conditions.