Feral pigs thought to have been illegally released in the Highlands have been located as staff work to contain them.
The Cairngorms National Park Authority said efforts to trap the pigs are ongoing after they were seen in the Insh and Glen Feshie areas.
The organisation said it believes the animals have been domesticated due to their behaviour and feared they could spread disease to other livestock in the area if not captured.
STV NewsAs works continue, the public is urged to stay away from the operation area to avoid causing stress to the animals.
Forestry and Land Scotland North Region Area Wildlife manager Tom Cameron confirmed staff are working to contain the feral pigs.
STV News“As we work to do this, we are asking anyone not involved with the operation to stay away from the area so trained staff can do their job and the animals are not unduly stressed or startled,” he said.
He added that from the pig’s behaviour it is apparent they are domesticated pigs.
“The hope is we can live trap the group using a corral trapping system. Once caught, FLS will take advice from NatureScot and Police Scotland on what to do with them.
“It is important to contain the pigs. This is for their own welfare and because we don’t know their origin or whether there is the potential for them to spread any disease across domesticated livestock in the area.”
The incident comes after four lynx were captured in the Cairngorms after being illegally released near Kingussie at the beginning of the year.
The lynx were found to be tamed and “totally unsuitable for being out in the wild”.
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