Drones in use: hunting wild boar cadaver and containing ASP!

In the past few days, several new cases of the African swine plague (ASP) have been reported in Hesse. The finds are east of the A5 and the B3, with a former clay pit between Bensheim and Heppenheim particularly striking. The search for dead wild boar continues without a Christmas break because the situation remains tense.

Since the outbreak of the epidemic in summer, almost 200,000 hectares have been searched in Hesse. 2176 wild boar cadavers were found, with 647 tests on the ASP virus. Most positive finds concentrate in the Groß-Gerau district, but infected animals were also found in the Rheingau-Taunus district. In order to spread the virus, the population in the affected regions is asked not to ignite New Year's fireworks outside of the villages.

technological support in combating

To become the ASP, the authorities use innovative methods. In this way, thermal drones and carcass experts are used to secure the affected areas. In addition, it is checked whether fences can be built east of the A5 in the Odenwald, in cooperation with the authorities in Baden-Württemberg. This is part of the strategy to prevent the expansion of the plague.

The African swine fever is a viral disease that affects both wild and domestic pigs and usually ends fatally. While the virus is harmless to humans, it has significant economic consequences, since there are high costs for the fight against epidemics and masses of affected stocks. The spread of the disease is a challenge because it is difficult to localize infected wild boar cadavers.

The increasing cases of ASP in Germany require effective measures. The use of drones enables efficient monitoring of large areas and the early detection of carcasses. This reduces the risk of people because direct contact is minimized and at the same time ensures faster response times to newly occurring ASP cases. Experts emphasize that the combination of modern drone technology and traditional methods, such as monitoring by hunters and the collaboration with farmers, is crucial for long -term success in combating ASP.