Wild Boar in Britain Rooting in Recreational Areas
Wild boar are woodland creatures, however, they can have no qualms about leaving the woodland to root and forage in areas where they conflict with human activities, such as on gold courses, football pitches, village greens, etc. This happens the world-over, wherever there are wild boar and people in close proximity. It is now happening in Britain too, and this page will list examples of such events. Invariably, these events are reported in the local and national press and the press love these sort of stories, but as always with the press, the report will probably contain exagerations and complete untruths. But, the bottom line is that wild boar, away from their woodland habitat, can make a right nuisance of themselves.
As always, comments are very welcome - particularly if you have first hand experience of such an event. Please email British Wild Boar. Thank you.
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 "It is all very well so-called experts pronouncing on what we should do about the wild boar. Do they realise what damage they are doing?
I belong to a walking group which walks in the Forest quite often. It has been obvious for some time along the edges of the paths that the boar have passed that way, but a couple of weeks ago near the site of Trafalgar Mine a large patch of bluebells had been dug up. There were a few bulbs lying around so presumably they had eaten the rest. We then came to Cannop Ponds picnic site which was absolutely ruined – about an acre of grass where families sit and play in the summer had been dug up (pictured).
It is quite clear that if these animals are not eliminated eventually there will be no bluebells and no open areas of grass left intact."
M.L. Simmons, Chepstow. Letter to the Forest and Wye District Review
(photo reproduced with kind permission of Ben Locke)
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To wet our appetites further of what to expect, here is a photo of a golf course in France, after a visitation from wild boar who refused to replace their divots (photo reproduced with kind permission of Mark Wallace - www.markwallacegolf.com).
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 "At our golf club situated in the South of France, the property sits on 850 hectares of land with a large population of wild boar. We have a serious problem with them over the last few weeks. In the past we protected the course with a strong fence around the perimeter (150 hectares). Recently we have had to open up the fence in 10 places, as we have discovered that several public pathways run the property. We can not close the gaps at anytime of the day, nether can we put down cattle grids. The local hunters come in to chase or shoot the boars from time to time but we have more damage everyday."
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Other reported events in Britain
Wild boar root up a football pitch
Location: Soudley Recreation Ground, Soudley, Gloucestershire
Date: 09 November 2008
Link: Wild Boar Invade Football Pitch.
Wild boar root up a football pitch
Location: Whitecroft Football Pitch, Lydney, Gloucestershire
Date: 14 September 2008
Link:Wild Boar Damage Whitecroft Football Pitch.
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