Conclusion
We investigated the interface between wild and domestic pigs and the potential presence of a sylvatic cycle in an African protected area. Both warthogs and bushpigs are common in NGR and they often move out of the park, sharing home ranges and resources with domestic pigs, particularly in the dry season. Therefore fencing should not be the method of choice to prevent transmission from potentially infected wild suids to neighbouring pig farming areas since they are prolific diggers. Despite many opportunities for wild-domestic interactions, it seems unlikely that the wild suids currently transmit ASF to domestic pigs as no ticks where found in warthog burrows and surrounding pig farmers were not familiar with ASF outbreaks in their area. Further research should explore a larger number of warthogs burrows to confirm absence of ticks and potential antibodies against ASF and other diseases should be monitored in pigs and wild suids which are potentially exposed to ASF. An awareness program among smallholder farmers is also encouraged particularly targeting the western and southern sections that could potentially have a high burden of contact between wild and domestic pigs. Confining pigs during periods of high potential interactions (at night and/or in dry season) is also recommended since full-time penning is expensive and impractical. Considering the proximity of the Mozambican border, regular surveillance of wild and domestic suids is equally important for monitoring potential incursions of ASF in this high risk area.