(haipo) – A new report by the State Comptroller, published today, 22/7/25, warns of serious deficiencies in managing the phenomenon of wild boars and jackals entering urban areas in Israel and Haifa in particular. The report shows that local authorities are forced to deal with these invasive species alone, without a regulated government policy, professional guidelines, or oversight and monitoring mechanisms from the state. This is a continuing failure that harms residents' sense of security, endangers the public's health, and leads to environmental, agricultural, and economic damage.
Dealing with the intrusion of wild boars and jackals into urban spaces ◄ View
The State Comptroller's Office examined the handling of local authorities with the outbreak of wild boars and jackals, two local species that have multiplied beyond the ecological balance and entered cities and towns in Israel.
The report sought to examine: How are local authorities working to treat these species? What is the role of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Nature and Parks Authority (NPA), and the police? And is there a clear and comprehensive government policy to treat the phenomenon? The examination was conducted in four authorities: Haifa, Jerusalem, Nesher, and Kiryat Tivon, as well as with the relevant national bodies.
A widespread and disturbing phenomenon
The intrusion of wild boars and jackals into urban and agricultural areas has become a widespread and disturbing phenomenon in recent years, harming both people and the environment. In addition to causing real damage to agricultural crops, infrastructure, and property, it undermines residents' sense of security and even endangers their health.
The report indicates that the origin of the phenomenon lies primarily in human actions: accelerated development, poor sanitation, and high availability of food and water sources. Despite its scope and implications, the report states that Israel has not yet established a clear course of action in law for dealing with invasive species, and with wild boars and jackals in particular.
The audit shows that there is no regulated division of powers:
Local authorities are responsible for public safety, but each acts according to its own understanding and without binding professional guidance; RTAG possesses knowledge but has no declared authority to act in the authorities' sphere; and the Ministry of Environmental Protection, which is responsible for the Wildlife Protection Law, completely disavows the issue. This creates a situation in which the scope of treatment is determined primarily by the discretion of the local authority and the level of cooperation it chooses to maintain with RTAG.
Over 24,000 in Haifa
Among the authorities examined, Haifa, Jerusalem, Nesher, and Kiryat Tivon, significant differences were found in the volume of calls, the level of budgetary investment, and the nature of treatment. Haifa recorded over 24,000 calls regarding wild boars in 2019–2024, but the expenditure per resident was the lowest (44 NIS). In contrast, Nesher invested approximately 568 NIS per resident, even though the number of calls was much lower. All authorities took dilution measures by shooting, trapping, and killing animals, but also preventive measures at various levels, such as installing fences, burying bins, and securing garbage carts.
However, only some have documented systematic measurements or acted to educate and enforce against feeding. Haifa even initiated an academic study to examine the behavior of the pigs, and Kiryat Tivon funded an experiment to keep the animals away.
The report recommends that the responsibilities and authorities of all parties be regulated in legislation: the Ministry of Environmental Protection, in cooperation with the National Wildlife Refuge, must formulate a clear policy for dealing with invasive species, examine the distribution of the budgetary burden between the authorities, and implement rules to prevent feeding and scattering food in public spaces. In addition, increased cooperation is required from Nesher and Kiryat Tivon with the National Wildlife Refuge, and an integrated approach is adopted by all authorities that will reduce conflict with animals, minimize damage, and improve the quality of life and well-being of residents while minimizing harm to the animals themselves.
The Haifa Municipality informed Haifa:
The Haifa Municipality considers the report an important tool for improving service to residents and streamlining its work. A team headed by the Municipality's CEO is working to implement the report's recommendations, and a detailed response will be provided upon completion of all issues.
Over the years, it has become clear that a massive presence of wild boars alongside residents is impossible, and city residents of all ages avoid going out for various activities for fear of encountering the pigs. The municipality is working, and will continue to work in every way, to reduce conflict with wild animals, in coordination and with the assistance of the Wildlife Conservation Commission and other professional bodies. Consistent activity has led to a significant decrease in the number of pigs and public inquiries, as also found in the State Comptroller's report.
I need to clarify my words:
According to the State Comptroller's July 2025 report ("Local Authorities' Dealing with Wild Boars and Jackals"), the main finding regarding dilution (trapping or shooting) is that it has been widely implemented in Haifa and other cities, but its effectiveness is questionable.
The report concludes that dilution alone fails to reduce the magnitude of the phenomenon, because it does not address the sources of attraction (open trash cans, other food sources) and is not part of a comprehensive policy. The report actually states that dilution is not an effective solution over time, and presents it as a one-off measure only – not an alternative to a comprehensive policy. In addition, the auditor writes, “Haifa signed a memorandum of understanding with the Nature and Parks Authority but did not fulfill all of its obligations, and that the reliance was mainly on dilution, while other actions (such as the effective removal of trash cans) were not fully implemented.”
Haifa's problems are more serious in terms of personal safety in the face of crime and protectionism, construction without dimensions, and car racing.
Wild boars are the third or fourth priority problem.
Hope the municipality wakes up to the real problems.
Ha ha ha, it's coming to idiots who don't learn to live with it. It's nature. God will always be there and there will be life everywhere. You won't be able to destroy it, damn establishment.
My name is Benny and I am a zoologist (with a master's degree). I have been responding to almost every article dealing with this topic for years. The wild boar is an omnivorous animal (eats everything) that eats any carcass or animal it can kill. The increase in the wild boar population is due to a lack of natural predators on the one hand and an increase in human overpopulation (which provides a continuous flow of food in the form of garbage cans) on the other hand and is not expected to decrease in the coming years. The authorities must intervene more drastically and intensively! (controlled hunting, shooting and traps) because in my opinion, if they do not do it now, they will have to do it after a small child or girl is preyed upon and eaten. I do not exaggerate the danger posed by the impossible interaction between humans and wild boars.
Haifa is a city of murderers. Condemned to decay.
The dirt is plentiful, and it also brings with it a lot of mice and snakes.