The Variation of Air Temperature, Humidity and Wild Boar Population in Hunting Area in Eastern Croatia in Period 2008–2018

Climate change drives population growth of wild boar directly by relaxing the negative effect of cold winters on survival and reproduction, and indirectly by increasing food availability. Air temperature is one of the main climatic elements when observing the climate of an area. Furthermore, humidity is an important factor for normal life of wild animals. Considering the great importance of the wild boar population in Croatia, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between weather conditions and population size (regarding the categories: offspring, young, middle-aged, and mature) of wild boar population in hunting ground in Eastern Croatia during the analysed period from year 2008 to year 2018. Based on the conducted research following could be pointed out: during the analysed period from year 2008 till year 2018 the mean yearly air temperature varied in interval from 11–13 °C, during the analysed period from year 2008 till year 2018 the mean yearly humidity varied in interval from 76–84%, the lowest total number of offspring was determined in year 2017. Since the offspring are extremely susceptible to inadequate environmental conditions especially low temperature the decrease of boar population could be expected during the period characterised by extreme environmental conditions.