Mr Nicholson from Northumberland writes
"Before I begin, let me first say your site is superb, so well done and keep up the good work. Now to matters. Having spent most of my life in what we up here call 'Gods Country" (Rural North Northumberland) I am yet to hear of any Boar activity, or at least thats how its been to date. I am told on the ever accurate grape vine that there are plans afoot by a few of my hearty countrymen to reverse this situation.
Frankly I think the reintroduction of a historically native species is a first rate idea. But then what would I know, I only have an intimate knowledge of the countryside gained over a life time spend living and working in it. Which naturally pales in to obscurity when compared to some city based anti wild boar, pro political correctness, and anti common sense type, so lets make sure the wild boar have a chance to be wild once more, as for any Governmental objections to re introduction, why not try telling those in Government that its possible to introduce a massive tax on Wild-boar-hunting, the lure of more public money to waste on their endless stream of useless failed policies and hopeless projects, will know doubt swing it in favour of re introduction nation-wide. However if that does work, try telling them no-one in the UK with the express exception of some tiny obscure ethnic minority group that know ones ever heard of wants wild boar to be reintroduced, then you can bet they will re introduce them on mass to the countryside ! Just imagine your dealing with a difficult toddler, ask them not to do it, and they will do the opposite."
yours, Mr R Nicholson.
John and Mark (Forest of Dean) writes
"Me and my friend mark went to the forest of dean to see wild boar. We went late afternoon about 2 hours before dark. We looked around for obvious signs (rooting, prints). Then we walked along a well used path with our flash lights . Every now and then, as we were walking we turned our high powered tourches on and had a scan around. I turned my torch on and there was a big male boar, he trotted off into the tree line and stopped. Mark wanted to come off the path but after seeing the size of the one that just went into the trees, I said no !.
We both are already planning another trip becase we we so taken in by them.
Christopher from the UK writes:
"The most contentious aspect of the re-emergence of wild boar in the
UK concerns the potential damage that could result to both domestic
cultivation, (farmland, orchards, nurseries etc.) and the possible
degradation of certain woodland habitats that may have evolved
subsequent to the extinction of the original boar population.
Obviously some serious research and consultation needs to take
place, but the authorities could perhaps make a start by examining
the possibility of using some aspect of the agricultural budget to
supplement or subsidise efficient fencing or enclosure for areas that
might be proven to be at risk from any rise in the boar numbers .
There is also the question of compensation for affected parties. It
is worth examining how matters are handled on the continent,
particularly in Germany and countries with a social and geographical
environment similar to our own, where co-existence seems to be the
norm, and problems are dealt with as they arise without undue
polarisation of opinion.
A clearly defined policy of compensation
would also be essential , if only it could be achieved without the
usual miserly and carping bureaucratic spirit that all to often
constitutes the extent of our dear rulers' response to such cases,
particularly where the countryside is concerned."
Lewis from the UK writes:
"I have been photographing a group of wild boar in the Forest of Dean for the last few weeks [October 2007] and I am now hooked on these amazing creatures. I have attached a couple of images I have taken as I thought they may be of interest, you are quite welcome to use these images on the site."
(© Lewis Thompson)
Geoff from the UK, after a visit to France 
, writes:
I have recently returned from a golfing holiday in France, the Vendee
region. I was amazed to see the damage done on two of the courses I played
by wild boar, some tees and greens were unplayable. I think the french name
is Sanglier or similar. I hope they can be contained in England otherwise I
fear for some of
our golf facilities.
Graham from the UK writes:
"I have found the British wild boar site quite by chance, and am very pleased to see that finally I see for the most part the truth written about these animals. Having just found the site I have not looked at everything but was just busting to write a few comments of my own which may, or may not be covered somewhere on the site. Unfortunately I live in an area where wild boar have not migrated to yet, but I live in hopes. I am a Stalker and have managed populations of Deer in and around the area I live (Oxfordshire). During my thirty five years of stalking I have on numerous occasions been invited to Germany to shoot wild boar by way of stalking, driven and from high seats I had a great mentor, the head of the Government forestry. When Boar began making it to the press after years of denial it read to that these british boar must be different to the continental ones, you did not see dramatic notices making reference to KILLER pigs and there is no statistics for people being attacked by boar.
Obviously there unfortunate incidents involving dogs of hunters but nobody demands the death penalty for all boar as hunters accept that sooner or later it may happen.
My point is for the most part 'Jo Public' would have no idea that these animals existed if it were not for various publications most have no idea what species of deer we have and they are obviously far more numerous. In any event a wild boar is far more switched on than any 'foot path walker' I have ever met, the noise they make would keep any self respecting boar well hidden.
My feelings are this animal is here to stay yes there will be occasional road casualties the odd stray marauding dog go missing and certainly some crop and woodland damage but all this is manageable, what we need is for the animal to be recognized, the appropriate seasons for culling, minimum calibre rifles to be used etc. etc. and most important which animals to shoot, more harm will be done by the culling of the wrong animals in family groups than if they were not shot at all.
Well thank you for reading, I await their arrival".
Colin from the UK writes:
"I personally view the return of the wild boar as excellent and exciting news.
Here in thetford in Norfolk we are surrounded by what I believe is the largest man made forest in in England, comprising some thousands of acres of mainly coniferous woodland, home to a great variety of wildlife including several species of deer, also red squirrels.
Speaking only for myself, I would personally view the presence of wild boar as a huge bonus to the wildlife already present in our forest, and as our district and town council keep banging on about the many benefits of tourism we can only hope they would welcome such a notable addition to the local wildlife.
I feel I should add that although councils like to pride themselves on being forward looking, our councils both local and district tend to look in the wrong direction most of the time.
So I do not hold out any hopes of any move to encourage the little beasties to move up here unless it be by their own efforts, but one can always live in hope!"
S & L from the US write:
"We just wanted to say "hats off" to your site. We have a domesticated wild boar, whose name is "Boris." I have enclosed his picture. He walks with us each night along with several of our dogs. He is a love, very affectionate and has a pot belly pig he shares his barn with. We keep him safe on our 20 acre farm and make it well known he is our "friend", and not to be harmed. These pigs are hunted too frequently here. Thank you for your site."
'Boris' the domesticated wild boar (reproduced with permission).
Tom from the UK writes:
"In addition to running a pest control company I am also a professional deer manager. I am also on the call out list to attend injured deer, wild boar and other animals they are involved in road trafic collissions RTC, in addition I am also contracted to DEFRA for culling livetock in situations such as the foot and mouth outbreak. So you see I comment from experience.
During the course of my duties I have beeen called to deal with wild boar, yes that means shooting them. The purpose of this email is to respond to some of the readers attitudes towards the wild boar and their comments.
Firstly I must point out that it is illlegal to release wild boar into the countryside. That said I am pleased to see them and believe they have a place, but under control. Without controling their numbers by culling you can expect them to come to the attention of DEFRA who will call for eradication on a large scale, then you will have something to complain about. Those of us who enjoy our way of in the countryside are aware of the need to cull, without pheasant shooting there would be no pheasants, the number of deer shot by me involved in RTC is in excess of 50 per year in East Sussex alone, because there too many land owners who refuse to control them, saying "I like to see them" well so do I but the difference is I prefer a healthy deer population, and this will only come about by sellective shooting by professionals, same applies to wild boar.
In short if you want to continue to see wild boar stop slagging us shooters off and give us your support, promote game meat in particular venison, its cheap and healthy.
Tom Keightley.
Jonathan writes from France:
"I own a house in the Cevennes in France. I have lived there for nearly twenty years. I cannot tell you much damage boar do! They destroy literally everything not made of solid concrete! I have recently spent £1000 and 6 weeks of intense manual labour to keep them from destroying our garden. When they ‘plough’ your land, in my experience it takes 10 years to recover!
I have had them on my terrace at sunset when drinking wine. I have been so close as to be able to touch them!
This Christmas because I have still not quite completed my boar fence one terrified animal got in at an uncompleted point. It was being chased by the local shepherds' German Shepherd dogs. I am not afraid of boar having chased dozens of the damn things off my property over the years. I chased this one as well and it eventually jumped another weak and uncompleted point in my defences. It caught its feet though and landed on its side.
These are the ONLY animals I could kill. I hate them! The local hunters have sticker in their cars, ‘mort de sanglier!’. I agree as they cause so much damage, walls knocked down, paths destroyed, trees killed, crops and gardens TOTALLY and utterly trashed.
Kill them because they will truly become urban monsters (foxes are just a mild nuisance to some and not at all to me).
Boars are NOT afraid of people. Indeed they have learnt in France to live in villages because they cannot be shot! The above boar mentioned was one of three resting up during the day just 30 metres from our house.
Jonathan Absalom
Donna from the UK writes:
"We have recently become aware of a group of about a dozen wild boar on the edge of Dartmoor near Yelverton, Devon.
These boar have only come to notice in the past 2/3 weeks. I assume they are a family from this year's breeding. I've seen them myself - one on the main Yelverton-Tavistock road and the whole group on the part of the moor where they are most active and where I walk each day. They're doing extensive damage to the grass, uprooting turf etc and making it dangerous to ride horses in the area, and are very close to a moorland road where they are quite likely to cause accidents at night. They have become quite a talking point locally!
There is another group a few miles away near Burrator but since they are known to be still there I would say that this is a separate group, possibly from one pregnant sow arriving here by some means earlier this year."
a postscript from Donna a few days later.
"The boar are now on both sides of the moorland roads and being black, are difficult to see at night. (Even though we're used to ponies, sheep and even a few cattle.)"
Donna Baker
Angela from the UK writes:
"I went to Sardinia in September and stayed on the top of a mountain. One morning the beautiful lawn right next to our bedroom looked like it had been ploughed!! (Exactly like the picture on your website). We were subsequently told that wild boar still roamed about the countryside and mountains at night. I suddenly began to be interested in them (I had thought that they no longer existed!) so I was very interested in your website and found it very informative and enjoyable.
I still cannot believe that myself and my family were within feet of one of them."
Regards, Angela
Brian from the UK writes:
"As a person who, throughout my life, has loved Britain's countryside and wildlife, I am nothing short of thrilled at the prospect of the reintroduction, deliberate or otherwise, of any species which was formerly native to this land.
I regard the return of wild boar in the same way as i do the return of sea eagles and red kites. I'd be equally enthusiastic, to be honest, if beavers and wolves were returned here too!
I take on board the valid arguments against it. They probably do carry bovine TB and other diseases, potentially acting as disease vectors, but should we eradicate any species for that reason? No, in my profession, we look to manage and work with risks, not to eliminate them. If we apply the risk-averse approach to wild boar and extend it to all animals which can transmit disease (to humans or livestock), our bird and mammal communities would be decimated!
I don't believe any animal that has been native to Britain in historical times, with the possible exception of bears, poses any real danger to humans. Most large mammals will react defensively if they feel threatened or are surprised, but do we seek to exterminate the wildcat, which could easily kill a small child in such circumstances? No of course not.
The wild boar may well change the ecology which we are used to seeing in our wild or rural areas, but the species with which it co-existed centuries ago are aall still there, so it would merely be reinstating the ecology back to its former state, not destroying a long-established ecosystem by introduction of an alien species.
All it takes is to accept the wild boar back into the pantheon of our native wildlife, and to inform and educate the public about it, and they will rapidly be accepted by the vast majority of people, I am sure. Farmers whose crops are damaged can be compensated if the damage is extensive, but crop damage is caused by many animals and should in my opinion, be accepted by farmers as inevitable and normal. Most farms over-produce anyway, and I would be grad to see farms close down and woodland re-colonising former fields and hillsides, creating more wildlife habitat.
At present, wild boar can be shot, poisoned, trapped, and hunters can use any weapon they wish on them with impunity. The boar do not officially exist, so have no protection, other than the animal cruelty laws. The sooner they obtain status equivalent to other wildlife the better.
I would LOVE to see wild boar in my local woodlands, and I only hope that the wiild populations are growing such that they can start to link with each other, and thus get to the point where the government is forced to recognise them. My fear is that the government, and other agencies with an interest in repressing this species, are keeping quiet and waiting until someone steps on a mature adult and is gored, at which point they will take action to "protect the public", no doubt supported by the NFU, who would probably exterminate all wildlife if they could anyway.
If any wild boar are reading this, I have a nice long garden, and they'd be welcome to root in my compost bins anytime."
Cheers, Brian.
Bob Hennessy (age 14) writes:
"I was so pleased to hear of the return of the long lost beast that onced walked on British soil. I was wondering if they are here to stay or will be exterminated again? These are wonderful, environmentally friendly animals which deserve to return to Britain after a long absence in the British Isles. I was also wondering that if they are here to stay, we need to change our British wildlife books or make a documentary program about their return. Well as their numbers increase, I hope they will not make London their home. There are about 1,000 wild boar living in the centre of Berlin. I realy like to see them back here again."
yours sincerely, Bob Hennessy, age 14.
Wild Boar in Berlin (Owner of photo unknown. If it is yours, please advise on the legality of using it. King regards, Martin Goulding).
Jane from Cranbrook writes:
"I have just come back from walking my two flat coat retrievers in Forestry Commission woodland near Bedgebury in Kent and saw three wild boar. When we parked the car, a family came up to us and told us not to go along a particular path as they had met a man who had been chased by a boar and 5 piglets. I therefore walked into the forest via another path. My 8 year old son was on his bike about 150 yards ahead of me and there ahead of him were three wild boar on the path just sauntering around. I called him back and called back my dogs who luckily had not seen them. We walked in the other direction.
I came back home and looked up boar and found your website. I think its great that wild boar are about but was shocked that Bedgebury had no signs up as I knew they could be dangerous but not quite how dangerous they could be particularly with young. Hundreds of people walk their dogs, ride their bikes including v young children on bikes, ride their hours and picnic there.
I rang Bedgebury and got a rather sharp woman from the visitor centre saying they did not have wild boar in the forest and I should not be parking where I had parked. Anyway, basically I don't think she believed me and just said she would tell her manager.
I rang my friend and she said she has lived there for 13 years and never heard of boar in the forest until this week and she has seen the three about three or four times and they drive her dogs mad by standing at the garden fence."
Nick from the UK writes:
"Thought I would just have to put a mail over to you after reading with great contempt, some of the comments that people have written about wild boar.
Crikey! They were in the south of France in the areas where your holiday homes were long before you decided ala 'A year in Provence' to uproot and move to another country! Just because you didn't think about asking about the wildlife in the area, before you relocated, why should the boar suffer?
What they are doing is natural, and unfortunately, your well tended gardens are a 'McDonalds' for the boar! One comment is 'I have come to detest the boar', How Daily Mail of you! Maybe they detest all of you NIMBY mail readers, and have come to detest you setting up home en provence, turning their rooting patches into swimming pools and lemon orchards or whatever it is that you do! We are living in a world where wildlife is slowly diminishing, we should embrace what we have around us, and if it is that much trouble to build a 6 foot wall around your property, maybe you should all relocate to somewhere else - but please check what animals live in the immeadiate vacinity!
I have read through the comments and was awaiting someone to announce that they should all be shot, they were in the UK and that is why we have only a spattering of areas within the country that support boar populations. for gods sakes, people REALLY!!!!"
Donna writes:
"I
thought you might like to see these photos of some wild boar babies I looked
after whilst volunteering at an animal sanctuary in Italy. They were brought
to the sanctuary when they were a few days old, having been found abandoned
in the wild. They were hand reared by us, and are now living semi-wild in an
area safe from hunters."
Photos reproduced with kind permission.
Shaun writes:
"Please find enclosed photos of Boar and piglets sighted in the Forest of Dean on 15 August 2005.
It was a privilige to catch a look at these animals in their natural
habitat. We hope that the Forestry Commission decide to allow them to
stay in the forest and that we will be able to see them again."
Photos reproduced with kind permission.
Jonathan from southern France writes:
"I am by now an expert on these beasts! I hate them and would kill them instantly if legal! (No other animal mind) I have a house in southern France where there are hundreds of them in my own small village. There are probably more boar (aptly named) than people. A couple of hundred are shot each year but they breed faster. They also are learning to hide in the village where they are safe. I have had ½ of my garden trashed (1/2 acre) in just a few nights despite a fence. They eat all, worms, slugs, grass roots and nothing grows back for years. They destroy dry stone walls tossing with ease in a moment what took strong men days to create and struggled to lift. All the paths are ruined as stone and earth are trashed. I have seen them many times at twilight and dusk in the centre of the village churning green banks to mud.
They have broken garden water pipes in my garden creating streams and wallows; they have walked on my terrace in the warm twilight while I supped wine; they have (so many) surrounded my house. Holiday makers their children in play, neighbours for a while, call their children to bed at the twilight hour; 15 seconds (or was it 10?) after the shutters close the grunt of boar where the children were just playing! They know we are present but will come into our garden any way as soon as is dark. I have at this point moved forward towards them and switched on my torch. Below are two stripy ones, as easily as I type this I could have touched them, and 6 feet away is mum. They ran off. They are shy at present but like foxes became urban foxes for how long?
My house is next too the Cevennes park so I expect to live and fight with nature but they are so destructive!"
Colin from Thetford writes:
"No doubt you have already seen the article in the Daily Express today (3 jan 06) reporting on an escape/release ? of wild boar on a farm in exmoor. I was so angry at the slant the article took and the almost unbelievable dramatising and exaggeration of the reporting ,ie "snarling beasts,the elderly and children cowering indoors,attacking pets ,"packs" of wild boar chasing over fields and along narrow country lanes,etc that i have taken the liberty of sending an email to the express regarding their reporter and the quality of his/her reporting!
I personally feel that the return of the wild boar to britain is in itself a cause for great excitement and hope for the future with regards to wildlife. I feel that too much of our countryside and the wildlife it supports is disappearing too fast already and find it hard to understand how anyone can (with perhaps certain reservations) fail to be excited that an animal as interesting on the scale of the wild boar is making a comeback".
Jake from Cheltenham writes:
"As a member of the public I am excited at the prospect of a return to Britain of the European Wild Boar. Not only is this an animal that belongs in our environment but it is one that connects us to our cultural as well as ecological heritage. As a boy in school I learned of Britain's historic relationship with the wild boar from King's hunting them for sport to images of early Britons sitting around fires eating wild boar for survival. Many of our nation's historic crests, architecture, paintings, story-tales and books feature the wild boar. This animal helped sustain and inspire past generations of Britons and can inspire future generations once again.
Increasingly modern Britons experience an 'extinction of experience' when it comes to their natural heritage. Fewer wild creatures, less open space and degraded ecosystems have meant a less healthy environment, lost ties to our natural heritage and less romance, less intrigue and fewer opportunities for modern citizens to experience the wonder of being in a natural environment where magnificent and inspiring creatures such as European boar roam wild. This sense of wonder in our natural environment is not optional, it is essential to cultivate in a population ever more alientaed from its rural roots. If public interest and support for healthy environments, wild life and ecological restoration is to grow, we need to provide examples of possibility and ambitious plans that embrace charismatic large animals such as the boar in addition to the smaller butterflies and field mice of our country-side.
Furthermore, In an age where wildlife restoration efforts are increasingly entagled in red tape and expense, we should embrace the opportunity to support and manage a restoration that has occurred in some degree despite us. The return of the wild boar can be a story of triumph of nature in an ever more threatened and sterile natural world. When nature triumphs like this we can all win."
Stephen from Hants writes:
"As youngsters we spent time in Northern Germany and rarely saw the
animals (The nocturnal habits didn't help!).
However there was always a good deal of anecdotal repartee: This Ranging from a friend's father having hit a large Male, in his VW Beetle (Both Boar and car died!) to casual sightings of the animals scavenging refuse bins.
Personally I have encountered the animals in controlled parks (even petting them) and was actively chased by a large animal, in the forest and after dark. This example chased myself and a friend some distance when we stumbled upon it, whilst collecting firewood! To the point: I feel the species deserves a second chance, increases 'bio.diversity' and is a species to be proud-of.
I also shoot and although could could never aspire or afford to shoot at such a lofty quarry - If we can allow the witless Pheasant to colonise our countryside, introduce the Red-Legged Partridge, Rainbow Trout, Sika Deer and Muntjack, then why not the reintroduction of a former native species?
Dangerous? Ever been to Richmond Park (Surrey)? There you will find a significant population of Red Deer. Red Deer Stags can often be seen, during the rutting season,a few meters away from parents with small children...A formidable beast indeed! Yet this wonderful place thrives and on the boundary of our capital. Most arguments against the wild boar are flawed - Even the potential for the cross infection of diseases, with domestic livestock could be overcome (or at least mitigated) by perhaps the selective inoculation of individuals and their re-release within populations? (No, I cannot medically expand on this, but understand this method is used to 'breed-out' some types of infection/diseases).
The Wild Boars fairly high mortality is always going to limit the size of any UK population, particularly when coupled to legal control measures. The rest of Europe copes with the fascinating species - What are we so afraid of?"
Dave from Italy (and Yorkshire) writes:
"I'd like to add to the comments from the Cevennes about damage caused by
wild boar.
We own a house in Italy, to which we're shortly going to move full time. Wild boar are frequent visitors, and we see them often, both on our land and on neighbouring roads. And when there's something they want to eat on our land, we hear them every night. They can be surpisingly noisy eaters, making loud belches and farts in addition to the noise of all the damage they're making.
As well as the frequently reported trenches and holes, they cause particular problems to dry stone walls and terracing, knocking out stones and sometimes major sections of wall, and creating pig slides for swift access down slopes that were previously vertical.
They cause immense damage to fruit trees, and are capable of pulling down branches up to six feet off the ground. These are of course swiftly broken off, and any tree in fruit soon becomes surrounded by a litter of broken and dead branches. Low growing fruit is particularly easy meat. Strawberries are hoovered up together with their plants, and bunches of grapes disappear together with vine branches while posts and wires supporting the vines are often toppled over.
While we're going to have to put up with this or else very expensively
fence, and I would not support a new extinction of a naturally occurring
population, I would certainly not support their intentional artificial
reintroduction into Britain. Rural gardening, and possibly suburban as
well, will become very much more difficult. Mole and rabbit damage are
mere fleabites compared to the destruction that boar can wreak on all
your careful efforts to cultivate the land."
to cultivate the land."
Peter from Germany writes:
"I’m an ex-pat living and working in Germany and as such I have often had contact with Wild Boar but never so much as in the last 2 years at my new place of work. The firm is situated in an 80Ha enclosed area and we share this space with a herd of Wild Boar. Apart from the buildings the area is covered by woodland and heath, being a small firm there are few people here and the Boar are not as shy as they are where contact with people is more often, plus hunting in the area is forbidden due to the fact that rocket fuel is stored at a couple of locations within the compound in large tanks. I often see the Boar from my office window especially as the woodland that backs up on to the building is used as a daytime resting area. I often jog or bike through the compound and have had many close encounters with boars and every time but one the Boars have beaten a hasty retreat, the one exception being when a group of 15+ animals including piglets blocked the road I was on with my bike and my shouting and clapping from a distance of about 20m only resulted in curious glances, on this occasion I retreated waited 5 minutes until the road was clear and carried on.
I find it a good thing that Wild Boar are once more running free in the UK and feel it should be encouraged, if handled sensibly Wild Boar are no danger to the public. I would further suggest bringing in a closed season for hunting and a compensation packet for farmers suffering from Wild Boar damage. As you have shown on your site people in Germany live quite well together with Wild Boar even though the population (both human and Boar) has increased greatly over the past few decades. I get the impression people who complain about the danger/damage from Wild Boar are probably the same people who complain about the countryside smelling of manure or Seagulls making too much noise at the seaside."
Sharon from Gloucestershire writes:
"I am mailing to inform you of two large herds of 'Wild' Boar that are
roaming freely on my land in Gloucestershire, near The Forest of Dean. These animals, I believe, were dropped off by someone approximately one month ago during a weekend. I am extremely concerned about the health and welfare of both myself and my horses as they have already caused some considerable damage to my land."
Pete from Gloucestershire writes:
"I have seen wild Boar in Germany but this Monday at 5.30 pm I had the shock
of my life to see 10+ wild boar just outside the forest of Dean,
Gloucestershire. The group ran out in front of my car and proceeded to run
from Verge to Verge on a very fast B road. I positioned my car to warn other
vehicles and then spent 3-4 minutes watching them. Many cars had to swerve
to avoid them. The group then wandered over and into a field via an open
gate and I positioned my car in the Gateway to hopefully drive them away
from the road. I then watched them rummaging in the field for another minute
before they eventually disappeared into the woodland. There seemed to be a
lot of young amongst the group.
Simply a fantastic sighting!"
Nick from Montgomery, Powys writes:
"Last Saturday evening my wife was staying with her parents on the edge of the Forest of Dean and at around 10pm took our aged half blind and stone deaf dog for a short walk. Whilst out the old dog became quite animated and then my wife saw 3 "pig like" creatures run across the path in front of her. She told me over the phone late that evening that she was sure they weren't badgers but didn't know what they were. Next morning she was in the bath when all hell broke out downstairs and my daughter Alys (10) began banging furiously on the bathroom door yelling something about wild boar in the garden. Jane ran downstairs and through the sitting room windows could plainly see a family group of 2 adults and 4 piglets digging up her father's immaculately tended lawn! Jane, her parents and our three children rushed out into the garden and Jane's father took some photos. By this time the neighbours had appeared and the boar obviously decided that it was getting too crowded and wandered back into the forest.
Since then the press and television have been around and Jane's father was filmed for the news.
I think it's great! Come on you boars!!!!!
Boar co-exist with the modern world in mainland Europe so why can't they be left alone in England?"
Bruce from Vancouver, Canada writes:
"By all means there should be wild boar in England again. It will not do any harm at all. Well not as far as nature goes anyway. It was mentioned how they could cause disease amoung farm animals but there were wild boars in England 300 years ago. So what if they were still here? I mean all your domestic pigs are decendants from Wild boar anyway. Domestic Pigs can quite easy go back to being wild as they have in many countries such as The USA, Australia, New Zealand etc. And they won't stay looking like farm pigs, because over time they will slowly retrogress back to their natural condition appearance of European Wild Boars. And what's more, they will provide good game for hunters. So why not?".
Paul from England writes:
"The bit about the damage done to British flora and fauna by wild boars must be a provocative joke inserted by someone - the whole countryside is being reduced to a barren, silent, chemically-soaked wasteland by the agriculural industry and someone has the cheek to talk about the damage a handful of piglets could do! As Victor Meldrew would say...I don't believe it!
As for rooting up bluebells...what about the yobs that dig up snowdrops, bluebells and many other native species to flog to people who have as little conscience as themselves about the whole business?
As for hunting...well, what is there to say? I suppose that there will always be 'people around who are amused by killing - scratch just under their skins and you'll find a Neanderthal. If numbers of wild boar did increase then a cull, at the proper time, by competent people would solve the problem. Remember: we are stewards, not here for long and ought to be acting responsibly for ALL of creation, not creating an unhealthy, unhappy imbalance".
Fabrizio from Italy writes:
"I was concerned about the rather horrific descriptions in the article of The Independent of yesterday [Friend or foe? Wild boars are back after 400 years - Monday 26 Jan 2004], that claimed the boars danger to humans, in this part of the world we have a very large population of them, the number of recorded attacks is non-existant, the few that might be on record are 100% caused by hazardous behavior of sportsman or beaters, boar are far too intelligent to attack man! on the other hand they can be devastating to crops, but the damage to cereals is very limited, especially if the soil remains soft in summer, but they have a lot of acorns to feed on and this might not be the case over in the uk. Here we had serious problems on delicate crops like grapes, vegetables and other expensive specialized produces. In the woods they have a very beneficial effect by turning the soil round frequently and the only places where I saw damages was in enclosures with too high populations per acre."
Jim writes:
"We have a house in a hamlet in the Cevennes region of France, and for the past 22 years we have lived there during the boar hunting season.
I, as a retired professional ecologist, walk in the woods extensively and have yet to see or even hear a wildboar. As you know, they are nocturnal and very shy. No one in the entire region has ever been attacked by a boar, and the only drama was, a few years ago, when one boar hunter was shot and killed accidentally by one of his fellows. A common event in the French hunting fraternity!
Of the other two points - disease carriers, I am not competent to comment; damage to agriculture land strikes me as another bit of farmer paranoia based on no factual information.
Final point - contrary to the impression given in the article, the boar population has delined in the past few years, but of course that might be peculiar to the Cevennes region."
Laurie from Liverpool writes:
"I am a suburb
liver. As far as I am concerned any creature that is native to the British
Isles should be left to live in it's natural habitat.
The badger has been blamed for the spread of bovine tuberculosis, but the
jury's verdict is not unanimous, God deliver us from experts."
John from Surrey writes:
"I have recently returned from 11 years living in Malaysia. As a 6 day a week runner I would run perhaps 3-4 of those each week through jungle terrain and running with the wild boar always made for an exciting experience. They were a natural part of the environment and their tracks linked to their water holes would provide many of my running trails in the more impenetrable forests. Indeed on some long jungle hikes where disorientation set in, coming across a wild boar track was always a saviour since it allowed you to move more quickly which assisted in getting out of the forest. Although we were always cautious around them, we never experienced any problems; they were always keen to get out of your way. However when running in the same direction and at the same speed, we were more nervous though exhilarated. The wild boar provided a ready diet for the local tiger populations. And at the end of a hard day's run or a long day's hike, we commonly would head for a remote Chinese restaurant and order ourselves a big pot of wild boar curry and rice washed down with some chilled Tiger beers.
I now run around the Surrey hills and will be keeping my eye out from now on for a local population. In fact I'm just off for a 10 miler right now."
when asking John for permission to print "....as I was on my run just now, I was reminded that there is far more danger in our forest and heath areas from the untrained dog population that regularly try to take a piece of me, than ever would be a problem from shy wild boar."
Jonathan from France first writes:
"Given the weeks (and hundreds of pounds) I have spent repairing boar damage
to my property in France forgive me for not reading all of your site before
sending a comment. Having now read your site with its comments I am
concerned that it gives a very unbalanced view towards the perception of
boar.
I am not frightened of boar, even of mum with young, nor are they a danger
to pets. They do however cause considerable damage to CULTIVATED land with
its loads of roots and being well watered. A boar can easily dig a two foot
deep wallow in one night. I know this to my cost.
They are NOT frightened of people (except in the hunting season when they
vanish up into the mountains). My neighbours children were out playing in
their garden in the evening but within 30 seconds (I am quite serious here!)
of them going indoors the boar, about 6, could be heard snuffling around
where the children had been playing. They must have been in the garden
waiting for quiet.
That is the point to learn from; they may be retiring and shy at present in
the UK but being very intelligent animals they will soon learn to become
suburban,"
followed by:
"I own a house next to the Cevennes National park in Southern France. I have
come to detest boar. I have had them come onto my terrace of an evening and
they have systematically wrecked my garden including breaking watering
pipes. They are not afraid of people even thought 250 were shot last year in
my valley. This summer I heard them in my garden and went to investigate and
chase the sods away. When I turned on my torch there were 3, Mum and two
stripy babies. The babies were so close I could have touched them.
When they do over your garden there is no plough (with follow up herbicide)
that could do as good a job. The sods leave nothing, and I mean nothing, no
roots, no seeds and so nothing will grow there for several years, they clean
everything up and just leave pure loose soil. Even plants and seeds
deliberately planted are reluctant to grow!
Their strength means that they can easily knock down heavy walls and fences.
They can even break through thick wire fences. An electric fence seems to
work but other than that fences need to be concreted in over their entire
length.
Well that's my experience and anyone with a romantic idea about little wild
piggies can first come and help me repair the damage to my property. I will
quite happily feed and board them free for a week!
You have been warned."
but then again, Frederick from Hertfordshire writes:
"As a professional Head game keeper of forty years standing and woodland manger on a eight thousand acre estate in Hertfordshire. I also have twenty years experience of hunting wild boar in germany. I hold a full German hunting license, and am fully conversant with all forms of management of wild boar and their relationship within German forestry management.
Some of the old German foresters use to call them, Farther's of the forest, because of the good work the do, I have seen the damage they can reek on young plantations, normal cause, low control.
Walk in any German forest and you will see the benefits that this wonderful animal as given the woodland environment, that far out weight the problems they cause, I have also to deal with the damage that deer can do, which can be far greater. In the new forest they release pigs at certain times of the year for their mutual benefit, why not wild boar. They are all over Europe so why not the UK. and the disease problem is manly caused though over population, both in wild and domestic pigs.
I think they are the best thing to happen to British forest, where their is a distinct lack of good management with the demise of the forestry commission, their is now low woodland maintenance. Providing Wild Boar are controlled in a humane way, by trained persons, who understand the biology of wild boar and its ways, the placement of feeding points and high seats are important, and a good income can be derived form hunting them,as with roe deer, which where considered pest in my younger days. now try getting a lease, let alone the price.
The problems come when people with guns that shoot sows, and leave piglets to starve, and die a slow death from small Caliber, rifles and shotguns, the wounded animals are very dangerous. Their should also be laws made ASAP. as to, minimum calibers for rifles .243 win is not the caliber for boar nothing below 7mm should be used, no shotguns to be used, making seasons for taking out the right animals at the right time of the year no females with young. all males, all 15 to 30 kilos juveniles.would be a big step forward the government as known about feral Boars for a long time, as anything been done, No.
They then do not represent a danger to the public, they will move out of people way rather than have a confrontation. only wounded animals and sows with piglets are dangerous, in germany the public have access to the forest within certain rules such as all dogs on leads, no access after sundown and before sunup, and they have very little problems. common sense before public access.
It would be great to see this old species back in Uk forests in other parts of the country, managed correctly, and respected, and not just a free- for- all for the ignorant and pot hunters. I belive that Wild Boar will be a benefit and ad to beauty of our woodlands and forest in years to come."