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Wild
Boar 81
UPDATE:
June 2008. Keep on running Boar!!!! The boar
seem to be on the move, and finding them in the Forest is now very difficult.
I
think they are moving west into Wales and surrounding counties via the Wye Valley.
Wild
Boar
Wild
Boar are native to the British Isles. It's believed they
were hunted to extinction in the Middle Ages, but maybe a few
survived (more forest to hide in back then!)? In the 17th
Century, some were brought from Europe and released for
hunting. Today we have a feral population that look a lot
like their wild cousins, and thanks to more recent escapes, a
few hundred now exist within pockets in the South East of
England and Dartmoor.
Wild
Boar 79
But here in the Forest of Dean boar have roamed for a longer time. Boar are
usually very shy, elusive and pose no threat to people unless
provoked. They are making regular news in the
Forest of Dean as their diggings along footpaths and
roads are offending a few people. Wild boar are short sighted and will come
close for an inspection of you, often with a grunt, before
galloping off. This
can be misinterpreted as aggression, and again fuels the blood
lust of the few who want to cull them. Dog walkers are told to be
scared and keep dogs on leads....
Wild
Boar 61 and dog
My
dog Sally meeting the gentle creatures of the Forest of Dean.
This is a male boar.
Here's
a sow with growing piglets - 2008. My dogs were standing
by me for this shot.
It was predictable
when a boar got trapped in a Forest of Dean school grounds a few months ago -
no attempt to encourage it out or dart it, no. The
Forestry Commission took full advantage of shooting it with
as much publicity as possible (school children plus media)
claiming that the boar was dangerous. The Forestry
Commission keep it quiet that they earn a lot of money from
hunters.
Wild
Boar 52 sow and piglets
At
the end of February 2008, birdwatchers visiting the RSPB goshawk lookout
in the Forest of Dean were treated to a sow and boar bringing up a
family of piglets. The joy this brought to hundreds
of people was clear to see. Many people had been trying in
vain to see a wild boar for themselves, such is the passion for
these intriguing creatures. My experience, alongside those of
friends who have also been up close to the wild boar, tell a
different story to that in the media
(see example).
Wild
Boar 40 sow and piglets
After
many hours searching and tracking the boar, I eventually struck
gold in the form of a farrowing female.
She
was exhausted and allowed me to stay and watch, even with my
dogs close by. It was this early contact and trust we
formed that allowed her to let me stay with her each day.
Wild
Boar 32 sow and piglets
Wild
Boar 55 at nest
Wild
Boar 30
Does
this girl look ferocious? These shots are not cropped
remember.
Wild
Boar 21
Wild
Boar warning 01
Compare
the viciously tusked propaganda cartoon, hackles up, head down and ready to
charge, with the real thing.
Wild
Boar 42
The piglets grew quickly and after a week they went on their
first ever walk. And I was there...and she allowed me to
follow a few paces behind, as her piglets discovered the new
world for themselves.
Wild
Boar 46
She eventually left and I've hardly seen her since.
Wild
Boar 66
But there are others in the forest, each with their own unique
characters.....
Wild
Boar 69 crop
No, this one isn't captive either, he's free roaming here in the
Forest of Dean.
Wild
Boar 06
All photographs of wild boar taken in the Forest of Dean, UK. 2007-8.
At the moment these guys are a much needed and much loved
presence in the forest!
Wild
Boar 10 crop
Here's
another wild boar, always curious of me, but never
aggressive. She was a member of a sounder of 2 adults and
4 juveniles that myself and few friends watched each evening for
about 2 weeks.
Here's
the rest of the family!
Wild
Boar 2 (S)
Wild
Boar Wallow 05
A
well used Wild Boar wallow and scratching post in the
Forest of Dean.
Wild
Boar damage 03
Chris
Grady (no, it's not Compo) surveying Wild Boar "damage"
in the
Forest of Dean.
The
evidence is easy to find, the animals are far more difficult to
locate.
Wild
Boar tree rooting 02
Wild
Boar will only eat bluebell bulbs before they flower as an
emergency source of sugar after farrowing. Diggings like
this one are often misinterpreted as bluebell foraging, but look
carefully and you will see that the bulbs are not eaten - only
disturbed. These are diggings for grubs, wasps and fungi,
and always under old tree roots.
Wild
Boar spoor 01
The
shit shot. The footprints can be confused with deer or
sheep, but the spoor is a sure sign they're in the area.
Could
I urge people to keep sightings of wild boar to themselves for
now. Do not submit sightings to the authorities as I
suspect they use the information to formulate a cull rather than
help the boar to free and useful lives. Also assume the
info will get into the wrong hands. Please don't help to
turn the Forest of Dean into a game park. Time will
tell if they are a problem.
Wild
Boar piglets 02 crop
Wild
Boar 63 with old lady
Be
careful Boris, humans can be ferocious !
British
Wild Boar: A good website with lots of info.
back
to British Mammals Gallery
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