Wild Boars Invade New Halfa Locality| Sudanow Magazine

Kassala, (Sudanow) _ Sitting on the ground of his farm, the farmer Mohamed Ahmed Halfawi laments his misfortune. He recounts the extensive damage caused by herds of wild boars to his sorghum fields, he had hoped would yield a substantial return this season, given the effort and money he had invested.

Mohamed Ahmed Halfawi, now over 65 years old, was formerly employed at a bank in Khartoum State. When the war ignited by the Dagalo militias engulfed the capital, he fled with his family and remaining savings to his hometown in New Halfa locality. There, he turned to agriculture as a means of livelihood.

“But overnight,” he says, “herds of wild boars began roaming in groups, destroying vast areas of crops, either by consuming them or trampling them.” He warns that if the situation continues unchecked, it will lead to significant financial losses not only for him but for many farmers in the region, unless the government intervenes urgently to address this escalating crisis.

To understand the phenomenon from a scientific perspective, Sudanow spoke with Dr. Reem Rabie Mohamed Saleh, professor in the Department of Clinical Medicine at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Khartoum. She explained that the presence of wild boars — locally known as “halouf” — is unprecedented in this region, sparking fear and concern among residents and farmers due to the direct agricultural damage and the ecological threat they pose.

Dr. Reem emphasized that reports suggest these animals may have entered eastern Sudan from the Ethiopian border, driven by environmental changes and regional ecosystem shifts.

She identified the species as Sus scrofa, a large-bodied mammal covered in coarse hair, equipped with sharp tusks used for defense and digging. Typically found in forested areas, their migration — according to unofficial sources and field testimonies — may be linked to environmental degradation in their native Ethiopian habitats. Deforestation, drought, and expanding agricultural and urban development have likely forced them to seek new territories in Sudan.

Another contributing factor, she noted, is climate change, which has disrupted food and water sources in their original habitats. Natural migration routes, such as riverbeds and open mountain passes along the border, have facilitated their movement into Sudan.

New Halfa locality, situated in Kassala State at an elevation of 351 meters (1,480 feet) and approximately (384) kilometers east of Khartoum, offers a semi-arid agricultural environment with seasonal food and water resources an attractive setting for wild boars. The locality was established in 1965 as a part of the High Dam resettlement plan for displaced residents of Wadi Halfa and surrounding villages submerged by Lake Nubia.

Dr. Reem warned of the boars’ destructive impact, including consumption of sorghum, wheat, peanuts, and vegetables, damage to irrigation systems through deep digging, uprooting of native plants, disruption of botanical balance, and competition with other wildlife for resources.

On the public health front, she highlighted that wild boars are vectors for several zoonotic diseases, including bovine tuberculosis (Tuberculosis), hepatitis E (Hepatitis E), and brucellosis (Brucellosis), especially as they roam fields and villages at night.

From a religious standpoint, Dr. Ismail Al-Hakim clarified that Islam prohibits the consumption of pork, citing its impurity — both physical and moral, as the reason. He referenced the Quranic verse:

“Say, I do not find in what has been revealed to me anything forbidden to be eaten by one who wants to eat it, except it be carrion, or blood poured forth, or the flesh of swine for that surely is impure.” (Surah Al-An'am 6:145)

He added that pigs are known to feed on filth and are associated with shamelessness, which contradicts the values of modesty and honor upheld by Muslims. He affirmed that killing wild boars is permissible when their harm is proven, citing the prophetic principle: “No harm and no reciprocating harm,” and the jurisprudential rule: “Harm must be removed.”

Regarding practical control measures, Dr. Reem proposed physical fortification of farms through high, sturdy fences and low-voltage electric wires to prevent boar intrusion. She also recommended clearing dense vegetation that may serve as shelter for the animals.

She called for coordinated seasonal hunting campaigns using smart traps that capture boars without harming the environment. Night patrols and trained guard dogs should be deployed to reinforce agricultural security.

She stressed that community awareness, , is the cornerstone of successful mitigation. She urged the organization of regular workshops to educate farmers on the risks posed by wild boars and strategies to minimize damage. Distribution of informational leaflets and government support are essential, along with cross-border coordination to establish an environmental emergency unit in Kassala State, particularly in New Halfa.

Dr. Reem also advocated for compensation for affected farmers and collaboration with Ethiopian authorities and international environmental organizations to monitor boar movements along the border.

In conclusion, she called for immediate and continuous tracking of wild boar activity in affected areas, and the formation of a joint emergency committee comprising agricultural, environmental, and security bodies to conduct a comprehensive ecological study of the region’s attractants.

She emphasized the need for sustainable preventive projects, such as environmental fortification and resource management, and the importance of leveraging global expertise in combating invasive species.

The spread of wild boars in New Halfa is not a fleeting environmental anomaly, it is a serious threat to agriculture and food security. Addressing it requires a blend of preventive, educational, and coordinated efforts at both local and international levels.

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