Wild rabbit hunting banned in western São Miguel
Azores GuideThe Azores government has banned wild rabbit hunting and the exercise of hunting dogs in western São Miguel after an outbreak of Viral Hemorrhagic Disease.
An ordinance published in the Official Journal by Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food António Ventura bans wild rabbit hunting in western São Miguel for the 2026/2027 hunting season.
The outbreak of Viral Hemorrhagic Disease (DHV) was confirmed in the western zone of São Miguel and is affecting the wild rabbit population. The prohibition also covers the release of hunting dogs for exercise in the affected area. The government said the measure aims to minimize the risk of the disease spreading until it is considered extinguished and its effects on local populations are properly assessed.
The affected area runs from the north coast at the parish of Conceição in Ribeira Grande, south along the EN5-2A via Rua do Infante Dom Henrique, Rua Artur Hintze Ribeiro, Rua das 16 Pedras and Estrada da Lagoa do Fogo to the Pico da Barrosa parking area. It then continues south along the western boundary of Água de Alto and Ribeira das Barreiras to the mouth of Ribeira das Barreiras on the south coast near Prainha, at the boundary of Ribeira Chã and Água de Alto.
The ordinance allows agricultural crops to be protected in specific localized situations through correction of the wild rabbit population density.
Sources
Azores Guide
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