Forewordxv
Focardi, Federico Morimando, Laura Scillitani, and Atidzhe
Ahmed. Wild boar numbers continue to increase in most areas
in spite of hunting pressure and other control measures. Their
environmental impact is large, increasing, and can affect many
of the other components of natural ecosystems. Increasingly,
studies have documented that wild boar can greatly affect spe-
cies abundance, species richness, soil chemistry, and food webs.
In Chapter 37, Kristin Leus explores ex-situ conservation of
wild pigs and peccaries. Modern zoos and aquariums are increas-
ingly focused on conservation. They now attempt to integrate
all aspects of their work with conservation activities, including
population management, visitor education, internal and exter-
nal communication, research, field projects, operations, ethics,
and animal welfare. This chapter outlines the role of zoos in con-
servation of various species of wild pigs and peccaries.
The final chapter by Rita T. Torres, Mónica V. Cunha, Tânia
Caetano, Sónia Mendo, Emmanuel Serrano, and Carlos Fonseca
presents an interesting overview about the antimicrobial resist-
ance (AMR) that has been recognized as an emerging, unparal-
leled and growing problem worldwide. The wild boar is used as
a model species to unveil the emergence, spread and persistence
of AMR in the human–livestock–wildlife interface. This chapter
focuses on AMR and the studies that are crucial in designing
proper management actions.
Mario Melletti and Erik Meijaard have provided us with an
impressive overview of the ecology, conservation, and manage-
ment of wild pigs and peccaries. These fascinating animals have
a long history of interactions with humans, and the more we can
learn about them, the better our chances of insuring our coexist-
ence in the future.Don E. Wilson
Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC
May, 2016.13:06: