Barcelona Sets Up New Architectural Obstacles for Boars  

Of course, when visiting Barcelona, one is guaranteed the time of their life. From the numerous attractions scattered across the city to the picturesque parks that draw tourists year-round, there is no shortage of experiences.

However, nestled amidst the urban landscape lies a unique challenge – the clash between humans and nature, manifested as wild boars.

The Collserola Natural Park, a forested ridge looming over Barcelona and rising to about 500 meters at the Tibidabo peak, is home to a rich array of wildlife, including more than 190 species of animals.

While this natural oasis provides a breathtaking backdrop to the bustling city of over 1.5 million residents and millions more tourists each year, it has also become a battlefront in the ongoing conflict between humans and one particularly troublesome animal species – the wild boar.

These formidable creatures have been known to invade the city, disrupting the peace late at night, and leaving a trail of chaos in their wake. 

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Barcelona, like many European communities with large numbers of wild boars living nearby, has witnessed numerous encounters between people and these uninvited guests. 

The year 2016 marked a peak, with police logging a staggering 1,187 phone calls about nuisance boars on the loose – from rooting up turf and munching on trash to attacking dogs, plundering cat feeders, holding up traffic, and even running into cars.

Pere López, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Desperate to find a solution and restore tranquillity to the city and its surrounding areas backing up against Collserola, the local government has embarked on an ambitious project – installing wooden fences at 22 strategically selected sites to protect trash containers in various neighborhoods in the Collserola hills. 

Targeted areas include Vallvidrera, Tibidabo, and Les Planes, which boast significant human populations and, consequently, generate substantial amounts of refuse that attract the wild boars.

In addition to erecting these enclosures, the city is also clearing bushes and urging residents to refrain from feeding the animals, further deterring their unwanted presence.

Inspired by the success of a 2022 pilot test involving three enclosures, which effectively prevented the boars from knocking over containers and scattering rubbish, the city council is pressing forward with the installation of these fastenings and bars before summer, allocating a budget of €111,562 to this endeavor.

Through these measures, Barcelona aims to strike a delicate balance, finding a way for people and animals to coexist harmoniously, without causing discomfort or disruption to either party.

As the city continues to navigate this unique challenge, one thing is certain: its commitment to preserving urban tranquillity while respecting the natural world remains unwavering.