Afrykański pomór świń i interwencyjny odstrzał dzika – podstawy prawa unijnego i krajowego

The ASF virus has been spreading among wild boars for over a decade in several European countries, including Poland. As a result, there are quitenumerous infections among domestic pigs as well. Therefore, numerous EU and Member State regulations have been published in this respect anda biosecurity procedure has been introduced. One of its elements is to hunt wild boars in areas vulnerable to the ASF virus. The increase in the numberof infections among wild boars and the appearance of numerous outbreaks of this disease among pigs prompted the Polish authorities to allow a significant increase in the amount of wild boar hunting. This decision aroused debate on the legitimacy of such a solution. The purpose of this study is toanalyse the provisions of EU and Polish law regarding the legitimacy of an increase in the amount of wild boar hunting in Poland.

Hunting the Beast on YouTube

Humans’ perceived relationship to nature and non-human lifeforms is fundamental for sustainable development; different framings of nature – as commodity, as threat, as sacred etc. – imply different responses to future challenges. The body of research on nature representations in various symbolic contexts is growing, but the ways in which nature is framed by people in the everyday has received scant attention. This paper aims to contribute to our understanding of the framing of nature by studying how wild-boar hunting is depicted on YouTube. The qualitative frame analysis identified three interrelated frames depicting hunting as battle, as consumption, and as privilege, all of which constitute and are constituted by the underlying notion of human as superior to nature. It is suggested that these hegemonic nature frames suppress more constructive ways of framing the human-nature relationship, but also that the identification of such potential counter-hegemonic frames enables their discursive manifestation.

Dermatophytosis due to Microsporum nanum infection in a canine

Miscrosporum nanum is a dermatophyte found in swine that causes non-pruritic lesions with desquamation, alopecia, and circular characteristics. M. nanum infection in dogs is rare and poorly understood in terms of its epidemiological and clinical features, and its therapeutic response. The present report describes a case of dermatophytosis due to M. nanum in a Dogo Argentino breed of dog that was used for wild boar hunting. The dermatophytosis presented with hypotrichosis, erythema, and non-pruritic desquamation in the back of the neck and chest area. The dermatophytosis was responsive to systemic treatment with itraconazole and topical (miconazole 2%) for 60 days. Thus, we conclude that the practice of hunting wild boar should be considered as a possible source of infection of M. nanum in the reported dog. The M. nanum infection showed clinical features that were similar to the lesions observed in swine, except for the absence of the circular pattern, and showed a good clinical response to the therapy. Finally, M. nanum should be considered as an etiologic agent of dermatophytosis in dogs that in some manner have had direct contact with domestic or wild swine.

Hunters' preferences and willingness to pay for driven hunts in southern Europe

Context Driven hunts exemplify the most representative form of big-game hunting in southern Europe. Aims We analysed hunter preferences for driven hunts and the marginal willingness to pay for their characteristics. Methods We conducted a discrete-choice experiment for driven hunts, taking into account the number of deer that could be hunted, the possibility of free-range wild-boar hunting, the presence of trophies, and other characteristics of driven hunts, such as congestion and travel time. Key results The highest influential driven-hunt characteristic on the utility of big-game hunters is the presence of trophy specimens, whereas for the small-game hunter it would be free-range wild-boar hunting. Conclusions Small-game hunters are reluctant to participate in the big-game market because of cultural factors and not because of budgetary restrictions. Implications Wildlife management and marketing of driven hunts can be improved taking into account the hunter preferences.