This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/09/wild-boar-kill-sicilian-man-protect-his-dogs-italy

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Wild boar kill Sicilian man trying to protect his dogs Wild boar kill Sicilian man trying to protect his dogs
(about 4 hours later)
A 77-year-old Sicilian man has been mauled to death by wild boar in an area popular with foreign tourists, prompting concerns about the dangers posed by an estimated 1m boar roaming across Italy.A 77-year-old Sicilian man has been mauled to death by wild boar in an area popular with foreign tourists, prompting concerns about the dangers posed by an estimated 1m boar roaming across Italy.
Salvatore Rinaudo was in the Cefalù countryside, close to the Sicilian capital, Palermo, with his wife and dogs when he was attacked on Saturday. Rinaudo died at the scene while his wife, Rosa, sustained multiple injuries after trying to help him.Salvatore Rinaudo was in the Cefalù countryside, close to the Sicilian capital, Palermo, with his wife and dogs when he was attacked on Saturday. Rinaudo died at the scene while his wife, Rosa, sustained multiple injuries after trying to help him.
“My husband put himself in the middle [of the animals] to save the dogs. At this point the boars jumped on top of him … There are no words to describe what I saw. I’m devastated,” the 73-year-old told Italian media.“My husband put himself in the middle [of the animals] to save the dogs. At this point the boars jumped on top of him … There are no words to describe what I saw. I’m devastated,” the 73-year-old told Italian media.
The area around the picturesque town of Cefalù has become increasingly popular with tourists, particularly from the UK, partly because it is the setting for the Inspector Montalbano books and TV series.The area around the picturesque town of Cefalù has become increasingly popular with tourists, particularly from the UK, partly because it is the setting for the Inspector Montalbano books and TV series.
Following the boar attack the town’s mayor, Rosario Lapunzina, declared a day of mourning. But Simone Cecchini from Italy’s state forestry body said wild boars should not be viewed as killer animals. Following the boar attack the town’s mayor, Rosario Lapunzina, declared a day of mourning. But Simone Cecchini from Italy’s state forestry body said wild boar should not be viewed as killer animals.
“Boar aren’t predators. When a boar becomes aware of a human, it runs away,” he said. “Above all these events should be evaluated based on the situation. In this case the man was not in a normal or natural situation; it seems that the boar were fighting with the dogs.”“Boar aren’t predators. When a boar becomes aware of a human, it runs away,” he said. “Above all these events should be evaluated based on the situation. In this case the man was not in a normal or natural situation; it seems that the boar were fighting with the dogs.”
Wild boar have only been in the Cefalù area for about a decade, Cecchini said, although their numbers nationally have been growing since the 1950s. They were initially brought to Italy from central Europe by hunters and, while the legal trade is decreasing, a considerable number continue to be brought into the country illegally.Wild boar have only been in the Cefalù area for about a decade, Cecchini said, although their numbers nationally have been growing since the 1950s. They were initially brought to Italy from central Europe by hunters and, while the legal trade is decreasing, a considerable number continue to be brought into the country illegally.
“This has caused accidents with cars, while also [problems] in agriculture … They eat the crops, which is why farmers are so angry,” said Cecchini.“This has caused accidents with cars, while also [problems] in agriculture … They eat the crops, which is why farmers are so angry,” said Cecchini.
He added that given growing number of boar, a nationwide plan was now needed. “The problem is the lack of a national strategy with a technical scientific basis. There are local initiatives, but not a unique and widespread plan.”He added that given growing number of boar, a nationwide plan was now needed. “The problem is the lack of a national strategy with a technical scientific basis. There are local initiatives, but not a unique and widespread plan.”
Isabella Pratesi, director of conservation at wildlife charity WWF Italia, said despite the dangers hunters were keen to hold on to their valuable market. A boar could earn a poacher €500 (£350) for its meat, she said, with illegal hunts posing a serious health risk as unchecked animals can carry disease.Isabella Pratesi, director of conservation at wildlife charity WWF Italia, said despite the dangers hunters were keen to hold on to their valuable market. A boar could earn a poacher €500 (£350) for its meat, she said, with illegal hunts posing a serious health risk as unchecked animals can carry disease.
“It’s a problem that is becoming more important in Italy and also abroad,” she said, blaming the parallel market rather than the animals for the situation. Wild boar attack humans only very rarely and when they feel threatened, Pratesi said, although warned they can be more dangerous than bears.“It’s a problem that is becoming more important in Italy and also abroad,” she said, blaming the parallel market rather than the animals for the situation. Wild boar attack humans only very rarely and when they feel threatened, Pratesi said, although warned they can be more dangerous than bears.