Roasted wild boar fillet on red cabbage purée and steamed Brussels sprouts
Wild boars (Sus scrofa) are among the oldest and most adaptable animal species in Europe. Even in the Paleolithic period, they played an important role for humans – both as game and as a source of food. In ancient times, they were considered symbols of strength and ferocity, and Roman soldiers even hunted them to train their fighting skills.
In the Middle Ages, wild boars were widespread throughout Europe, but later suffered severe declines due to excessive hunting and habitat loss. Their populations were only able to recover in the 20th century – aided by milder winters, increased corn cultivation, and climate change. Today, wild boars are found in large parts of Europe, Asia, and North America, where they are sometimes spreading rapidly and are considered an invasive species.
