Wild boars roam freely in the streets, following pedestrians and rummaging through trash bins in some residential areas of Rome.
In recent years, wild boars living in the wilderness parks on the outskirts have frequently appeared in various neighborhoods of Rome to scavenge for food. A video from September 22 shows adult wild boars confidently walking through a neighborhood in northern Italy’s capital, crossing paths with cars and pedestrians without any fear.
Wild boars walking through the streets of Rome on September 22. (Video: Reuters)
“I am very scared; once, I was taking out the trash and they followed me,” said Rosa Carletti, a resident of the city.
The issue of wild boars taking over the streets has become so pressing that it has turned into a topic of debate in the upcoming mayoral election in Rome scheduled for October. Mayor Virginia Raggi, a member of the Five Star Movement, has blamed her opponents for the situation.
In a lawsuit earlier this month, she accused leaders from the Democratic Party of the Lazio region, where Rome is located, of failing to prevent wild boars from entering the capital. However, the Lazio regional government denied the allegations, stating that the responsibility for managing wildlife outside rural areas lies with the city councils.
“Now, walking to school has become dangerous,” said Nunzia Cammino, a resident living in the northern part of the capital.
A woman followed by wild boars on the streets of Rome on September 22. (Photo: Reuters)
Roberto Gualtieri, a member of the Democratic Party and one of Raggi’s main opponents in the mayoral race, described her lawsuit against the Lazio government as a “joke,” accusing Raggi of poor management.
“Instead of being a mayor, Raggi has turned into a zoologist,” said Giorgia Meloni, leader of the far-right faction, on September 22 during a campaign rally for her candidate. “Wild boars, then rats the size of dogs, and killer seagulls, all are appearing before us.”
