‘Destructive’ wild pigs may help cultivate biodiverse rainforests, study suggests

Pigs’ contribution to forests despite their reputation for damaging woodlands highlights the complexity of the relationships between flora and fauna, writes Harry Cockburn

It may look like a mess, but wild boars’ rootling can have unexpected benefits for forests, research suggests (University of Queensland)

Wild pigs may appear to leave a trail of devastation in their wake, but it turns out these animals may have considerable positive benefits for the landscapes they inhabit.

A new study by Australian scientists have found wild pigs can cultivate biodiverse rainforests in their native habitats.

Dr Matthew Luskin, who has been researching the effect of native pigs in Malaysian rainforests, said the pigs’ nests may be a “critical” contribution in maintaining diverse and balanced tree communities.