2.4 Model initialization
We initialized the model with a starting population of 43,200 wild boar, corresponding to a density of 3.0 individuals / km2. The initial coordinates of all individuals were randomly generated within the grid limits, thus producing a homogeneous spatial distribution of wild boar density. We set sex ratio at 50:50, whereas age classes were attributed according to the stable age distribution estimated by Bieber and Ruf (2005): 60% juveniles, 20% yearlings, 20% adults. All individuals except one (randomly picked) were initially assigned to the “susceptible” state. The remaining individual was defined as “infected” and placed in the centre of the simulated grid. The model proceeded in daily time-steps for a period of 10 years. Reproduction took place each year for a period of 60 days during the months of April and May. Natal dispersal occurred for a period of 40 days and started on June 1st. The hunting season lasted for 150 days between October and February. Each day, model processes were performed according to the following order: density update, disease incubation, virus transmission, disease-related mortality, recovery, carcass decomposition, hunting, reproduction, dispersal, aging.