Feral pigs found roaming woodlands near Uath Lochans in the Cairngorms National Park have been trapped and humanely culled, according to Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS).
The wild boar were seen roughly five miles from the spot where four lynx were illegally released in the national park last month.
Park authorities suspect the pigs were also illegally released.
"We are aware that feral pigs have been spotted in an area of the Cairngorms National Park near Uath Lochans," said a Cairngorms National Park spokesman on social media on Monday 10 February.
FLS said the animals appeared to be relatively domesticated, suggesting that "it is likely that this is an illegal release". The pigs were later captured before they were humanely culled.
"The Park Authority is working closely with partners – including NatureScot and Forestry and Land Scotland – to ascertain the full facts on the ground," said the Cairngorms National Park spokesman.
"The Park Authority condemns any illegal release of animals in the strongest possible terms."
Wild boar used to roam Scotland but were wiped out in the 13th century due to hunting and habitat loss.
While some have escaped from farms over the years, this latest release has sparked fresh concerns over their impact on the environment and local farming.
Main image: wild boar in UK forest/Getty
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