Wild boar management in paddy fields using repelling equipment

The present study focused on the effectiveness of mechanical methods to deter the wild animals from the paddy fields in the Palakkad district of Kerala state, India. An experiment for comparing the efficacy of three sound repellents (pot and stick, fan and plate, bio-acoustics equipment) and one light repellent against unprotected fields was conducted to determine the most effective method for deterring wild boar. All the mechanical methods were found effective in reducing crop damage incidences compared to unprotected fields. Sound repellents, bio-acoustics equipment (2.50), and fan and plate (4.25) reduced the crop damage incidences compared to the light repellent (7.25) and the fields without protection (18.50). It was found that bio-acoustics equipment protected a larger area, 4.4 ha, with a single unit. The best two equipment from the study, bio-acoustics and fan and plate, along with olfactory repellent, Bo Rep, and bio-fencing, were used to demonstrate wild boar management in a large area. It was found that the integrated use of mechanical and other repellents was very effective in preventing the wild boar from entering the paddy fields.