At one time, experts say, the boars were nearly wiped out by hunters at altitudes below 1,000 meters, but since restrictions have been placed on hunting them, their rapid reproduction rate of three to eight piglets a litter has enabled them to return.
東海大學教授林俊義曾為文指出，台灣野豬因人們獵殺，一度在海拔一千公尺以下絕跡，所幸它們信守「多子多孫多福氣」的信條，一胎可產三到八隻，最多甚至可達一打；據台灣林業試驗所調查，目前野豬已恢復出現在平地了。