The wild boar Sus scrofa in northern Eurasia: a review of range expansion history, current distribution, factors affecting the northern distributional limit, and management strategies

Abstract

1. The wild boar Sus scrofa is one of the most widely distributed large mammal species in the world, existing on all continents except Antarctica. In the late 20th Century, its geographical range expanded naturally and through intentional releases. Despite the environmental, social, and economic importance of the wild boar, its current distribution in northern Eurasia remains uncertain, and the factors that limit and promote expansion in northern ecosystems are unknown.2. We aimed to summarise the history of wild boar range expansion and cur-rent distribution in the countries of northern Eurasia. We also assess the