|
Map showing approximate locations of alleged wild boar sightings reported to www.britishwildboar.org.uk. The size of the dot represents the frequency of reporting. Not all sightings are represented, to respect requests for confifdentiality. © British Wild Boar Organisation. |
"We now have a group of youngsters regularly foraging in our (and adjacent) semi-natural ancient woodland. With our usual crop of bluebells coming through we will see if they are impacting one of the key bits of local flora. They are still diurnal with the attached photograph taken mid-afternoon. The group seems to be about 8 strong with two generations of youngsters, with no signs of an adult." PL Devon Feb 2007 Devon piglet Photo reproduced with kind permission of PL. |
Several breeding populations of wild boar exist in Britain today:
1. Kent and East Sussex. Originated in late 1980's allegedly from a now defunct wild boar farm in Tenterden, Kent, supplemented with escapees from an also defunct abbatoir near Ashford, Kent.
2. Dorset. Originated in mid 1990's from a now defunct wild boar farm in Bridport, Dorset. Recently supplemented with escapees from an operating boar farm in same area.
3. Herefordshire. Ross-on-Wye. Originated in late 1990's from a now defunct wild boar farm just south of Ross-on-Wye. Population numbers increasing. Over 30 animals seen together at one location.
4. Gloucestershire. Forest of Dean. Originated from a deliberate release/dump of several wild boar in November 2004.
5. Monmouthshire. Wild boar from the Forest of Dean have crossed the river Wye and are now established in Monmouthshire, Wales Croeso!
6. Devon. Dozens of wild boar were deliberatley released from a wild boar farm in North Devon in 2005 and 2006, and also from a farm in South Devon in 2006 and 2007.
A group of wild boar stretching their legs in Devon (reproduced with permission.).
Many sightings of wild boar have been reported in many other counties, but these are not yet considered to be viable breeding populations. Undoubtedly, several are also cases of mistaken identity, typically munjac deer or escaped domestic/pot bellied pigs.
Examples of reported sightings - by County.
Bedfordshire, Luton. "I came across a dead wild boar in the verge, presumably it had been hit by car, the location is just outside Luton on the B653. Despite the proximity to Luton town there is plenty of green space which boar could disappear into, there are certainly plenty of deer in the area so not really surprise to come across boar."
Regards, Bob.
Bedfordshire, Broom Hill."Boar sighted moving along the edge of a field, location Broom Mill, adjacent to the River Ivel,Bedfordshire. The animal was less than 50 metres away when first sighted,appeared to have been startled and was bolting for cover". Source: Communication to web site by BBC Home Counties radio.
Bedfordshire, Milford. One wild boar seen on local golf coarse, April 2004 Source: Communication to web site by BBC Home Counties radio.
Berkshire, Heath and Reach. "Today I saw what was my second sighting of wild pigs in Bedfordshire near ‘Heath and Reach’ I was with my wife a few years ago when we saw what looked like a very big one fleetingly as it ran off away from us across a field into woodland. Today I was walking my dog near the same location when I saw what I am convinced was two small ones about the size of a Staffordshire bull terrier. They were very shy after crossing a bridleway about 50 metres in front of me and trotted off into woodland. I tried to follow with my camera phone but they went to ground very quickly. Found your website when I was browsing looking for reports of a similar nature."
S and J Priestley.
Buckinghamshire, Great Missenden. Origin: unknown. One adult and one juvenile sighted February 2001 Source: Communication to web site.
Buckinghamshire, Hambleden. Origin: unknown. One adult with tusks sighted January 2006 Source: Communication to web site.
Buckinghamshire, High Wycombe, Flackwell Heath. Origin: unknown. Two juveniles seen. 2002 Source: Communication to web site.
Buckinghamshire, Olney. - Origin: unknown. One brief sighting of "black sturdy animal that looked a bit like a warthog" sighted June 2003 Source: Communication to web site.
Buckinghamshire, Taplow. - Origin: unknown. One animal sighted March 1999 Source: Communication to web site.
Cambridgeshire, Haslingfield. Origin: UnknownOne animal sighted November 2005 Source: Communication to web site.
Cheshire, Chester.
"Driving out of the Carden Park Hotel, nr Chester at 0415 21/9/06. (In a moment of madness agreed to pick up my daughter from Manchester airport whilst on a conference!) The drive is at least a mile, about halfway down there it was, about small dog size, maybe a terrier size, never seen anything like it! Looked at your site and I'm convinced. It walked briskly across the drive and dissappeared. Wont forget it." Paul.
Cheshire, Disley.
"Whilst cycling through woods in the valley of the River Goyt, Disley, Cheshire, I disturbed a small red / ginger coloured animal, at first I thought it must have been a fox but when it bolted out of the undergrowth onto the path I saw it was a small pig with course red / ginger hair. The creature disappeared through a hole under a fence and was lost from view. I looked around the site where I had spotted the animal and the ground showed clear marks where it had been foraging.Date of sighting 23rd June 2007".Yours faithfully, G Oates.
"Today [22 Sept 07] cycling in the same area we spotted two adult wild boar in the himalayan balsam close to the river. We asked in the local post office if people knew of their existance and it was confirmed that there was a wild boar population".Regards, G Oates.
Cornwall, Clitters. "Spotted a wild boar (probably juvenile) running across the road at Clitters near Gunnislake in Cornwall on Friday afternoon (14 August 2009). As we are in the Tamar Valley, I would imagine these may still be some of those that escaped from Dulverton in Devon two and a half years ago, and have been widely seen on nearby Dartmoor. It wasn't a young piglet, but wasn't adult size either. This area is fairly densely wooded in parts, and is in the vicinity of the reported activity of an escaped beaver at the beginning of the year. Have seen boar on several occasions in captivity and am pretty certain this was indeed a boar rather than anything else."
Nikki
Derbyshire, Matlock. Origin: Wild boar farm escapees. Several sighted March 2001 Source: Communication to web site.
Derbyshire, New Mills.
"Hi, saw a wild boar very close to New Mills, Derbyshire last Wednesday (29/8/07). I was travelling on a bus and the boar was trotting up someone’s garden, so it was no more than 10 feet away from the road in the middle of the afternoon. The area is farmland with quite a few patches of woodland. It was very definitely a wild boar, having recently returned from Parc Asterix I am in no doubt whatsoever!
Location:The boar’s location was close to the River Goyt.
Many years ago I remember watching a feature on Granada Reports, Fred the Weather (later the Fred famous for jumping around on the floating map on This Morning) went Wild Boar hunting in New Mills."
Mike
Devon, Buckland Monachorum. "Hi, a herd of about 12-17 have been sighted since Weds 18th Oct 06 in sw Devon. I heard/saw the shadows in woods near Buckland Monachorum on Sun 22/10/06. Scared the life out of my dog!" cheers, Bruce.
Devon, East Anstey. Origin: Wild boar farm escapees. Over 100 animals escaped December 2006. Unknown number still at large Source: Numerous media articles.
Devon, near Dartmoor. "I have seen, most definitely, wild pigs and believe they were the ones released from North Devon last year. I have a positive location and have counted eleven.
Attached are a couple of pictures taken this morning before sunrise, (24 October 2006) of some of the damage they have created on a location near my home on Dartmoor and a very low quality picture of their eyes only, as my flash was not powerful enough to illuminate the animals themselves."
Photos reproduced with kind permission.
Can you see the eyes?
Devon, Horrabridge. "A group of fifteen wild boar near Horrabridge on the edge of Dartmoor were seen this morning, 24th October 2006, by my wife while walking dog - they crossed an open playing field and were easily counted, I understand." MT
Devon, Horrabridge. "Hi, I have just (this morning) spotted a large boar in some woods near Horrabridge in South Devon. I was walking near the car park and looked up and it was about 4 metres infront of me looking at me. I backed away and it followed. I went back to my car to get my camera but it had gone. Someone told me they had seen 10 nearby earlier this morning. I will try and get some photos later." Thomas. Oct 2006.
....and he did!
"My friend Matthew and I have been out boar spotting today close to where I sited the boar yesterday. We found a group of 7 boars and again they were out in the daylight and seemed fairly tame."
Photo reproduced with kind permission. © Matthew Simkins.
Devon, Horrabridge. "I have been tracking wild bore between Yelverton and Horrabridge for the last few months. There are five different groups, the first has 3 adults and 5 babies, the second 6 adults and 8 babies, the third 2 adults and 3 babies, the fourth approx 13 adults (hard to count them all) and at least 12+ very young maybe a few week old babies, the last group I found this morning in a new area towards Milton Combe roughly 5 young adults. There seems to be a lot of media interest in them over the last week as a few dog walkers have been chased and two dogs hurt badly. They are obviously getting more aggressive as they have young and I think the area they are in is now too small to support the growing numbers. They are doing a lot of damage on the down with large areas of turf be dug up. I have got a few photos of the young and some adults if you would like them."
Regards Lee
Devon, Tavistock. "Hi,I have today (13th March 2007) at midday sighted 4 young wild boars near the Morwellham junction, Tavistock, Devon. They disappeared under a fence into woodland as I drove past. I assume their mother was with them and already through the fence, but I did not see her. Nose to rump I would estimate they were 18inches long, brown tortoiseshell type colour with stripes running their length. The woodland they entered is used for paintballing and I have informed a friend who works there due to the numbers of people that would be running around the wood with a nursing sow on the loose! I expect the noise will drive them away. I have to say that although I knew that there were some at Burrator I have to say I did not expect to see them so close to home and next to the road! I got a clear view of them and recognised what they were immediately due to their distinctive stripes. Unfortunately I did not have time to snap a photo of them." Fiona Maddock.
Devon, Tavistock. "Hi. I sighted a young wild boar standing in the road by some woodland in Tavistock, Devon around 3.oclock in the after noon. It was definitely a wild boar."
Kind Regards Christy
Devon (South) - location confidential. Origin: Unknown, likely wild boar farm escapees. Group of 10 sighted February 2006. Source: Communication to web site.
"I followed them for 30 minutes, then they just seemed to disappear. It was fantastic to watch."
April 2006 "Just an update on the wild boar we discussed in February.They are still in the area. I think we may have lost a couple to hunters. We do not see them all together so often now, but if we go looking for them we normally see 3 to 4 of them.Got very close to a couple of the younger ones the other day"
Photo reproduced with kind permission.
"I have seen a wild boar at the edge of the road, a very large animal I might add.The incident happened when the animal was startled by the head lights of my vehicle at approx: 6.30 pm today 13th November 2005.The boar was standing at the road edge on the A272 Piltdown, East Sussex. He was large and had all the features of a boar, he jumped back turning on his hind legs and made way into the under growth. My wife and daughter saw the animal also.A very exciting moment for me and I thought that you would like to know.."
Kelly, Nov 2005
East Sussex, Broad Oak. 'Saturday 13 march 2004 at about 10.30 pm two mature sows 1/2 mile east of Broad Oak' Source: Communication to web site.
East Sussex, Flimwell. Wild boar shot in woodland in Flimwell. June 2001 Source: The Daily Telegraph, Monday, January 8th 2001
East Sussex: Peasmarsh,
"Travelling along a lane near Peasmarsh in East Sussex at approx 10.00 p.m. on Sat Aug 5 and a line of wild boar (approx 8) crossed the lane in front of the car. There were several large adults at the front, followed by 2 smaller piglets and then another couple of adults at the rear. Fabulous sight!"
East Sussex, Piltdown. One wild boar at the roadside, November 2005 Source: Communication to web site (-"A very exciting moment for me").
East Sussex, Sedlescombe. 1 solitary medium sized young male spotted 20/3/05. Source: Communication to web site.
Essex, Great Leighs. One wild boar seen on grass verge on the roadside Source: Essex Chronicle, Thursday, February 5th 2004
Essex, Quendon. One wild boar seen in wooded area, March 23rd 04 Source: Communication to web site.
Essex, Mersea Island. "We saw this wild boar at Old Hall Marshes RSPB reserve, near Mersea Islandin Essex on February 11th 2006. Fortunately there was a ditch between us and the boar or we may not havestopped to take photos!" Source: Communication to web site.
Photo reproduced with kind permission of Kathy Baxendale.
- comments from an RSPB ranger "Yes, it does normally live on the Reserve. It has been here for a verylong time, is solitary and therefore unable to breed, and does us someservice in the manner in which it forages for food. It was originally anescapee but it is not aggressive and has become an accepted inhabitantof our reserve."
Gloucestershire, Brockweir. - Origin: unknown. One animal sighted July 2002 over two days on two separate occassions. Source: Communication to web site.
Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean. Just thought i would let you know that i today saw a large male wild boar in the forest of dean. It was in woodland adjacent to the sculpture trail off the B4226. Great to see it, but I was slightly wary off it. larger than I thought it would be".
Carmen, Nov 2007
Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean. November 2004 22nd. 10 - 12 young wild boar in a road either side of woodland. Source: Communication to web site.
Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean. November 2004 29th. 10+ group of young wild boar crossing a B road before disappearing into woodland. Source: Communication to web site.
Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean.
"I was driving towards Coleford, Forest of Dean, one evening in early October 2006. Two large dark brown pigs started to cross the road in front of me, I had to stop to let them pass........it was dusk.........an amazing sight!
I had heard of them but never thought i'd see any........just glad I wasn't on foot......"
EW
Gloucestershire, Over. Wild boar killed crossing road. Dec 2002 Source: BBC on-line news
Gloucestershire, Stanway. Small/juvenile wild pig/boar seen from the road. Jan 2006 Source: Communication to web site.
Gloucestershire, Tresham.
Hi, I was out for a walk with the family today and we spotted a wild boar in the corner of a field near Tresham, South Gloucestershire. The sighting was in the far corner of the field to the west of a barn.
The sighting was for only a few seconds as it ran out from cover and into the field. I am not familiar with boar sizes but was shocked at its size, however after looking at your web site then I reckon it was not a mature adult.
The sighting was about 5pm and it was overcast. We are familiar with other types of wildlife.
Thanks – Andrew
Hampshire, Beech.
"Hi, We've just returned from a walk near our house in Beech, Alton and stumbled onto a very large wild boar foraging. He had large tusks and was about 12 stone and about four feet long. He stopped and looked at us, before moving on. He was very big. We walk here often and this is the first time we've seen a boar."
Dean, Dec 2006.
Hampshire, Weston Common. "Just 2 weeks ago [Feb 2006] I saw a wild boar on Weston Common, Hampshire.It was very dark/black in colour and the lower legs where tan in colour. He trotted off quite quickly as soon as he detected my presence. Source: Communication to web site.
Hampshire, Weston Common. "I saw a black wild boar running in to woodland near Liss Hampshire on 6th January 2009"
Hampshire, New Forest. "Yesterday [June 2009] I saw a wild boar in the New Forest! It was brilliant - I knew something was going on when a load of cows were mooing loadly, then I saw it. They were getting bothered by it and were almost trying to attack it to get it to go away. It was pretty big. I didnt know how safe they were so I kept my distance and actually felt a bit nervous! Now seeing I could have probably approached it I am kicking myself and at least wish I had a zoom camera! Oh well."
Paul
Herefordshire, Ross-on-Wye. - Origin: Wild boar farm escapees. Two animals sighted June 2000 Source: Communication to web site.
"Today, 20 September 2005 at 1530 my wife was walking in woodland, near Ross-on-Wye, when a young boar approximately 0.3m tall and 1m long with distinctive gold and mink coloured stripes emerged from the undergrowth and passed ahead of her on the narrow path on the Wye Valley Walk. It was within 1m of her. She had just got over the shock of this when immediately to her right and within 0.3m of her she heard an "oink" from the undergrowth and saw a second young boar looking at her. Although she thought them rather cute she walked on quickly!"
John, Sept 2005
Herefordshire, Ross-on-Wye. April 2005 "We came across about 12 wild boar, some juvenile, in the Forest of Deancrossing a path near a road at about 2pm. They seemed relativlyunconcerned and stayed at a distance of about 15m, moving on when theywere ready. I took some photos."
Photo reproduced with kind permission.
Herefordshire, Ross-On-Wye. March 2006. 1wild boar seen in woodland. Source: Communication to web site.
"I would just like to report a sighting of a boar on Sunday 19th March at 3.00pm approx. The sighting occurred in woodland, near Ross-on-Wye and quite near housing. I was with my 2 daughters and we had stopped for a drink and were chatting when I heard a noise over the bank. I went to take a look and saw a single boar, possibly male, as it was approx waist high. It looked up at me before turning and running off and I was surprised at the athleticism of the boar. It was an amazing sight. I walk the woods on a regular basis, but this is my first sighting. There are many other signs of the boar in the woods, and one particular spot where you can clearly see where they have been wallowing and rubbing on a tree".
Ian P., Ross-on-Wye.
Hertfordshire, Royston. Origin: unknown. One animal sighted September 2000 Source: Communication to web site.
Kent, Aldington. Two seperate sightings in 2003/04. A large male and later a sow with five piglets Source: Communication to web site.
Kent, Bilsington. November 2004, One sow followed (in a car) for 300-400 metres as she foraged on a roadside Source: Communication to web site.
Kent, Bedgebury. April 2006, "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."Source: Communication to web site.
Kent, Coxheath. Sept 2006,
"I just wanted to report a Wild Boar I saw while I was walking down a quiet country lane just outside of Coxheath, Maidstone in kent.
I saw the animal was quite large (truely fascinating to see as i've never seen one before), as I walked past a hedge and noticed a little movement. It stopped in its tracks, maybe in the hope I hadn't seen it? I carried on acting normally as I was in very close proximity to him/her and didn't want to scare it for my safety and for the want of looking. I slowly turned to face it as I had my camera with me (I enjoy wildlife photography) but it ran immediately I faced it and headed into the woodland that backs onto workhouse lane, coxheath.
It was the only individual I noticed but there is much overgrown grass, hedges and shrubs there so who knows how many others were looking at me. Many people are saying these sightings are insignificant as they are native anyway and have been proven to exist here again already etc etc, but I found this encounter absolutely fascinating and I truely hope to see one again and hopefully photograph it.
Thanks for your time."Dave.
Kent, Hamstreet."Saw a wild boar last night skirting the edge of a large field near Hamstreet in Kent, at about 9.30 pm. It was very light in colour and surprisingly large - thought it was an Irish Wolf Hound at first, but then saw it's snout,ears and tail pointing upwards as we got closer. As soon as it noticed us it darted into the woods. Quite a quick mover!"
Dominic.
Kent, Hawkhurst. April 2006, "3 boar in Hawkhurst on the outskirts of Bedgebury Forest, Near Cranbrook, Kent on 3/4/2006. Never seen in or near Bedgebury Forest in all the years I have lived nearby (20yrs)" Source: Communication to web site.
"When I spoke with my friend she said that the Forestry Commission [in Bedgebury] are doing all this building work in the Forest along with building a new visitors' centre - the work includes putting in new bicycle paths etc all around that end of the Forest and she thinks that all this work has brought the boar out because their habitat (dense undergrowth) is being disturbed."
Received April 21 2006 "Sadly, I’ve since been told the local gamekeeper shot the three boar as they found their way into someone’s garden in Park Lane (I wonder if this was really necessary!)"
Received April 27 2006 "Very sad news, if its true - my husband went to visit my friend last Sunday and my friend told him that gamekeepers had shot the three boar 'for bacon' - I spoke with John at the Forestry Commission at Bedgebury and he said he had heard rumours but the FC had not been involved. Apparently, the FC only lease some of the Bedgebury Forest land and if the boar were 'being a nuisance' the gamekeepers who look after the land could have killed them. Seems wicked to me that humans are disturbing the land with building work and driving the boar out only to be killed by gamekeepers basically because they've got no where else to go!"< P>
Received May 20 2006 "Boris, Flower and Rosie will be sadly missed!! These were hand tame boar who would not have hurt anybody. As I had lost the ground I had rented and a being a keen environmentalist, we let the boar, myself and my two young girls had reared from young, free as the good Lord intended. Why cant we have wildlife in our country, do we really have to kill every bloody animal in our woods !!!!! I did not have the heart to kill these boar as they gave us so much fun, ie playing with a football with my 3 and 5 year old girls. What do I tell them! apart from we gave them a chance for survival that was not meant to be. As a struggling single father the boar were to be breed along with the old english breeds I had at the time. Why cant my children grow up in this country seeing something their forefathers have. As I am having a hard personal time at present trying to make ends meet to bring up my kids with real values I'm in no position to do anything positive about these killings, When I have however climbed out my personal rut I WILL commit to rearing and releasing as many breading colonies of boar into my local countryside as I can and I WILL by whatever means it takes, make sure they have a better chance. If any one else has the pleasure of rearing and getting to know wild boar they will know/or see how bright and alert these creatures are, it seems for now that my children will have to learn about our lovely countryside from books and not from the land itself. We dont all aspire to be the Jones's, some of us would like to live in a field, in a wooden cabin, self sufficient and trying to give something back."
Kent, Paddock Wood. Sightings and signs in woodland around Paddock Wood. July 2001 Source: Communication to web site.
Kent, Rolvenden. Sighting of young wild boar crossing a road. July 2002 Source: Communication to web site. Appeared as news item in local rag 'Wealden Advertiser' page 21.
Kent, Tonbridge. Rooting signs in woodland around Tonbridge. November 2001 Source: Communication to web site.
Kent, Tonbridge. Sighting of lone boar (probably sow) in woodland around Tonbridge. May 2003 Source: Communication to web site.
Kent, Wrotham.
"Just a note to mention that for the past few mornings between 0715 and 0730 we have sighted a wild boar ambling through our garden in West Kent. Where it goes we know not except that we have a large wooded area as part of the garden and it may be hiding there.
Needless to say our family Labrador purports to show interest but none of us has been able to find the boar’s tracks".
C and J. April 2007
Middlesex,
"Dear Sirs,
I was sitting on top of the Oxford Tube - double decker bus, going out of london on the M40 on Thursday [March 2007] afternoon at around 3p.m. and saw two nice pigs about 15-20 metres on the embankment on the North side of the motorway.
First I thought muntjac, then I thought they might be a couple of wayward labradors, then I saw little piggy tails and unmistakable solid muscular profile, both were heads down busily digging up the leaf litter beneath the small shrubs that run down off the fenceline toward the motorway.
I had no idea they would go out in daylight, or away from deep woodland, I always thought they'd be as shy as possible.And I associate wild boar with places like south Exmoor and Ashdown forest.
Rather pleased!
Henry
Middlesex, Ruislip.
"I saw a wild boar today [April 2007] on Ruislip Golf Course in Middlesex. It ran straight past me and into some woods Has this location already been reported?"
Thanks, Gary
- further sighting in Dereham, Norfolk. Animal seen crossing a road. November 2001. Source: Communication to web site.
Norfolk, Mundford. Origin: Suspected Wildlife Centre escapees. One animal sighted at roadside - October 2005 Source: Communication to web site.
"I am writing to inform you of a sighting. One wild boar was seen by one of my fathers work colleagues. This sighting occured Bothal, Northumberland. The gentleman who made the sighting came across the animal as he walked through dense woodland, the animal stood in the centre of the path as he watched from a distance, the bore apparently looked like it was searching for food.
I have walked through this area of woodland since being a boy and have never come accross boar, each time I walk this route from now on I will be taking my digital camera to obtain photographic evidence. If I do capture an image I will forward it on to yourselves.
Regards, Darren.
North Yorkshire, Bilbrough.
"Whilst jogging yesterday evening 29 April 2005 in Bilbrough near York, North Yorkshire I was surprised to see two wild boar run across the lane in front of me.They were brown with a shaggy coat. I had a clear view and I am convinced that they really were wild boar. Have there been any recent sightings in this area?"
Carol
"Hi, just to say whilst out walking with my family at about 5.30pm in a field with lots of brambles and bushes. To our great surprise a brown boar ran from the bushes and away from us at great speed. It was roughly the same size as a labrador only more stocky- dated 7th / 10/ 08".
from James, Ian and Julia
Sheffield, Ecclesall.
"Just like to report a sighting.
There were four of us in the car Sunday night 8th Oct [2006]. I saw something crossing the road in front of us and was a bit dumb-struck. A minute later, I said " did anybody see what I just saw"? My husband and friends husband looked at me gone out, my friend Melanie turned to me and said "what the hell was that" Our respective partners thought we were pulling their legs when we described what we saw. However we didn't even know what we'd seen. I couldn't even think of an animal that fit it's profile. However, after talking to people and viewing the photos on your site, we're both pretty convinced that it was a boar that we saw.The location of the sighting was close to Ecclesall Woods in Sheffield.
There's no other sightings in Sheffield on your site, hope to see more soon."
-Kara.
"I'm a voluntary wildlife warden on a large area in Somerset which contains several major nature reserves managed by Somerset Wildlife Trust, English Nature and The RSPB. Today, Wednesday March 15th 2006, whilst on a wildlife walk with my wife and a friend near Ashcott in Somerset, we suddenly encountered two fully grown Wild Boars, a boar and a sow, rooting about in a rough field on the opposite side of the drain to us. We watched them through binoculars for about three or four minutes at a close distance of just 30 or 40 metres until the eventually slowly moved away to disappear down a bank into a rough marshy area. Both animals looked to be in reasonable condition i.e. well fed, but their coats appeared quite ragged and unkempt with patches of dried on mud
For me, a fascinating sighting and the first in 14 years of regular wildlife watching in this area". JH.
"I made a return visit to the site today and saw the Sow with four (half-grown?) young. I didn't see the boar but I heard his loud grunting-squeal from within the large thicket that they seem to have taken to as home!"
Photos reproduced with kind permission.
-a second sighting a day later, by a different observer:
"I was there this morning and saw five, one boar and presumably four sows though one did appear to be slightly larger. I did manage a few shots through my telescope". RM
Photos reproduced with kind permission.
April 2006 "Just to let you know that we spotted a family of boar this morning on the Somerset levels near Westhay. Can give you the exact reference if required. I have some photos too. It looked like a sow with 5/6 young. Regards, Dan"
Photos reproduced with kind permission.
Somerset Excellent photographic evidence kindly sent in by Jeff Hazell showing a fledgeling population in Somerset. The origin of these animals is unknown. Possibly they are migrants from the Dorset population but their diurnal (out during the day) behaviour implies a recent escape or deliberate release of farm reared stock. Boar born in the wild quickly become nocturnal to avoid being shot at, which frequently happens.No stripey piglets seen to-date and it is too early to say if it is a viable population. However, the group consists of a mature male, at least one sow that looks pregnant and several young from last season. Unless these animals are shot or move on, Somerset will be the latest county to lay claim to a breeding population of wild boar.
Jeff writes 'I noticed that the adult boar is missing his lower right tusk; also the 5 young, on size and colour, seem to be from two different families: two are small and reddish-brown, and three are larger and black in colour. The group size would appear to number 8 from my sightings to date.'
< Male boar with missing tusk. (reproduced with permission.)
Two youngsters from last years (2005) litter. > (reproduced with permission.)
Staffordshire, Cannock Chase. Origin: unknown. One animal sighted early summer 2003 crossing a ride. 'Loud grunting' heard in undergrowth by the same person in Oct 2003 Source: Communication to web site.
Somerset, Dulverton. "We were driving today [September 2009] at about 4.30pm from Dulverton,
Somerset, on the A396 about three miles south of Exbridge with the river on our right and steep woodland on our left. Round a corner we came upon a large black boar savaging something right in the middle of the road ( we did not see what). I sounded the horn a few times and the animal started towards us head on, then turned and ran up the bank. We had an excellent side view and saw that the animal was very large, standing perhaps 4 feet at the shoulder. Once in the woodland
it moved more slowly. Another car coming in the opposite direction also saw it at this point and stopped.
Shame we did not have our camera: it would have made a superb picture!"
Terence
"One animal sighted ambling through light woodland at dusk. I am a keen naturalist, and am not mistaken. Funnily enough, within the previous fifteen minutes I had sighted two roe deer, which abound here, and a fox. I therefore had a recent comparison." Source: Communication to web site.
Warwickshire. Gaydon July 06
"Hi, 3 wild boar have been seen near Gaydon, Warwicks and I believe a local farmer shot 1." Source: Communication to web site.
West Sussex, East Grinstead. 'Large' wild boar dead on the roadside of A22. Oct 2003. Source: Communication to web site.
West Sussex, East Grinstead. "On the afternoon of Monday 13th February 2006, my wife and I saw a wild boar in woods beside a road not far from Kingscote Railway Station. It appeared to be an immature animal, standing about 15" tall at the shoulder. We had a clear if only brief view of it." Source: Communication to web site.
West Sussex, Forest Row, East Grinstead. Single boar seen on edge of woodland. ?Oct 2003 Source: Communication to web site.
West Sussex, Horsted Keynes
"A friend phoned me a couple of weeks ago, to say that her daughter & a friend saw what they are convinced was a boar, on the road, late at night in their headlights near Horsted Keynes, West Sussex. We have Muntjac in the area, but this was definately not one.I mentioned this to a friend tonight, & he informed me that a couple who live nearby saw a similar animal just after Christmas not far from the above sighting. He has also noted what look like rooting signs, on the farm where he lives; again a mile or so away from the sightings.
I note from the site, that there have been other sightings in the Horsted Keynes, Sharpthorne, Forest Row areas since 2003. All these places are within 4-5 miles, and all are on the fringes of Ashdown Forest. Interestingly, all appear to be of single animals, so unfortunately no viable breeding population ....yet!"
with regards.....Bryan Hale
West Sussex, Lurgashall."I sighted and made a video of a wild boar in my mother’s orchard north of Lurgashall this afternoon (Sunday 06 August 2006). Looks like a youngish male which obviously lives in the extensive chestnut coppice thereabouts. Rear end covered with mud, presumably rootles there in the many bogs and streams."
"The boar is most likely is an escapee from the farm nearly a mile away - which is down the hill and across the chestnut coppice. The free boar is happily munching somewhat unripe apple windfalls and hides amongst the bracken and overgrown chestnut coppice - now tall trees which are survivors of the 87 storm. He has no fear of us humans - he also checks out the compost bin daily and pokes his nose around the kitchen door to see what's cooking. He's growing fast ....
We've let the farm know about several sighting and they keep thinking they've captured 'him' - so there must be others rootling about.
Paul and Jackie
West Sussex, Partridge Green.
"I live in Partridge Green in West Sussex and often walk up the downs link and across fields. I thought I was imagining things things earlier this year when I saw what looked like a dark brown animal I thought was a wild pig cross the path behind me. Everyone I told said I was imagining things but when I looked on the Aol homepage today and read about all the wild animal sightings including wild boar I realised I was right. So I thought I would report my sighting." Chris
West Sussex, Sharpthorne. Single boar seen running along the road. April 2005 Source: Communication to web site.
"Last night (23rd of April 2005) at about 11:30pm my wife and I had an amazing experience. We were driving near Sharpthorne & Horsted Keynes in West Sussex. We came across an animal running away from us down the road. We are used to seeing deer and at first thought it was just another one, but as it turned sideways we saw that it was something we'd never seen before except in picture, a wild boar! It seemed to me to be quite huge. I am certain it wasn't a domestic animal, its legs were too long, it was too tall generally and it didn't seem confused or tame at all. Also it was quite a dark colour and it was quite hairy. I've compared it to various pictures and I'm certain it was a boar.
It trotted down the road in front of us for about 10 or 15 seconds, looking for a way off the road, then nimbly climbed a very steep bank off to the left and ran along the top of the bank looking for an opening in the wire fence there. We drove on hoping not to scare it."
All the best, Geoff.
Wiltshire. Great Wishford. Two wild boar seen in woodland. Source: Communication to web site. 16 March 04
Wiltshire. Ogbourne. "I was walking the Ridgeway last week and 'wild camped' here under a tarp, which affords an all-round view. I was in the alley of predominantly beech trees NE of Waylands Smithy. About 11 pm I heard an animal approach which sounded large, but was obviously neither deer nor badger. It came to within about 20 feet of me (upwind) as I listened - it was pitch dark - and when I flicked on my torch, I could clearly see that it was a wild boar which ran off.
Next morning, I looked for sign, but the ground was quite hard due to the dry spell. However, even though there were beech trees all around, it appeared that something had eaten all the beechnuts".
Richard
Wiltshire. Swindon.
"Hi, I've just been looking at your site because I had a sighting of a wild boar this morning. As I do every morning I was cycling along the canal path of the old Wilts & Berks canal, Swindon, when I saw a huge splash in the canal - I had thought it a dog to begin with - but when I got right up to it I was quite astonished cos all I could think it was was a wild boar. (On getting to work I looked up your website and it most definitely was one.) He got the other side, shook himself and then wandered off into the bushes. I have never seen anything like it, amazing to think they are in the area.
Just thought I would say about my sighting because I had not heard of them in this area before."
Caroline from Swindon, Oct 2005
Wiltshire. Swindon.
DATE: 30th april 2007.
TIME: 17.15HRS
CONDITIONS: warm sunny day with a light breeze.
LOCATION: M4 corridor (heading west bound from junction 15 towards junction 16 )
"My husband collected me from work as he allways does @ 1700hrs, and we proceed along the m4 towrds west swindon,shortly after leaving the slip road and joining the motorway i was shocked to view what i believe to be "a wild boar"considering i was actually looking out for "the wild deer" at the time, of which we see grazing almost every day along that stretch"and so as you can imagine i was more than chuffed to see "a wild boar" poking around in a field that has scattered woodland in all directions.and so close to the edge of the motorway ( but quite safe behind a big fence all the same ), my husbands reaction was to suggest in agreement that it was more likely a "wild boar" and that he did not know of any pig farms around this part of ( swinetown ) swindon ,and so after i had given him an alarming detailed description of what i had seen, he then suggested I surf the net and see what i could dig up on our possible local boars.
This is the first time i have seen a boar (in the flesh so to speak) and more to the point !! I hope it wont be the last.
Its amazing just what you can see if you open your eyes to it ....."and it helps if your husband is driving of course"
Tania and Steve ( from west Swindon )
.....and again
Hello there ,
- thank you for the acknowlegement of our recent sighting,this may sound like a sheer coincidence "but i can only proffess my honesty" when i inform you that i can now verify my wifes sighting",
DATE: 14/05/07
TIME: 17,10 hrs approx
CONDITIONS: mild, rainy ( though not raining at that moment ) blustery wind.
LOCATION : M4 corridor (heading west bound from junction 15 towards junction 16 ) Approx 3 fields from our original sighting due to my own visual sighting of what I can only describe as being a hairy "deep red coloured pig" and this was definately not a deer, or a domestic pig. Ive also ruled out the possibility of it being a fox (cos Ive never seen an extremely fat fox (and Im sure foxes are more orange in colour) and although I was only drawn to it for a moment (due to my driving along the motorway and so only seeing the non-offensive little fella for a short time frame), this time the animal was in a relatively open field (roughly 3 fields up from our original enncounter ,approx half a mile)
This has now prompted me to view the location from the other side of the motorway and make an attempt to gain some photo footage, "however", I should hasten to add I shall ensure not only am I at a safe distance from this (known to be grumpy species) wild boar, but also that no attention is drawn to my own person from the actual traffic using said motorway.
My reasons for this are purely for prevention of accidents caused by "rubbernecking" for obvious reasons ,being as people have a tendency to look at the guy with the camera, then attempt to view what it is that the photographer is focused upon,.....and as you can imagine ( this can take a few seconds ) so not a good idea @ 70 mph,
Either way, I am sure i shall have some photographic proof of this elusive little chap asap, and that as soon as i have the pics (then so will you guys )
keep up the good work.
steve ( west swindon )
Worcestershire. Great Witley "My father believes he saw a couple of wild boar running across some of his farmland situated at Great Witley, Worcester. He wanted to inform you of the sighting which was yesterday – 6 July 2009 at around 10.00am."
Best wishes,Laura
Monmouthshire, Monmouth. "Me and my family are living in a place near Trelleck, near Monmouth. We have a woods right by us where we have often seen and heard wild boar. We have been down to the woods and have found some evidence of them. We found their dropping, tracks, where they get over the river and also where they have been scratching broken logs".
Callum from Trellech
Ayrshire, Troon.
Saw 3 when I was out on my horse walking through woodland. They came right up to the horses. The site was in woodland just outside Troon in Ayrshire.
Sallie
Dumphries and Galloway, Galloway. Origin: Wild boar farm escapees. Several animals sighted - March 2002. Two animals were shot. Source: Communication to web site. View a Press report
Fort William, Lochaber."Just a brief note to record a sighting yesterday [June 2007]. We were walking north of Fort William when we were surprised and delighted to see a family of 2 adults (black) and four well grown piglets (brown) trotting along a sheep path, oddly on the open hill, but close to some forestry. I did not realise that wild boar were this far north, but do not know if there are any local producers from where they may be escaping?
Yours faithfully, M.L.Clarke.
Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire.
Hi, last night [8 July 2008] me and my son where camping near mugdock castle(nr milngavie)and we had an encounter with a feral wild boar it came pretty close to our tent (we were camped in the forest surrounded by thick fern)then it started snorting and making a loud squelling sound after about 5 mins i got my boots on grabbed my camera but by the time i got out of the tent it ran off before i could film it but i think i got the noise it made on film will let you know
cheers Jason
"Found your website, after I took this photo of a boar on New Year's Day, in Woods north of Blairgowrie. - This is an unfenced woodland, managed by the Forestry Commission Scotland. He was grazing slowly away from the track, and I snapped him on a 600mm EFL Lens, so it's a bit of a "spy-shot".
I was surprised to find a creature like this roaming the woods freely. I can't find a specific reference to Drimmie Woods on the Forestry Commission website, but I believe they were introduced to promote regeneration of the woodland, as a consequence of their grazing habits."
|
|
