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Wild
Boar
Wild Boar are native to the British Isles.
It's believed they were hunted to extinction in the Middle
Ages. In the 17th Century, some were brought from
Europe and released for hunting. Today we have a population
that look and act a lot like their wild ancestors, and thanks
to more recent escapes, a few dozen now exist within pockets
in the South East of England and Dartmoor.
Wild Boar 129
But in the Forest of Dean, boar have roamed
for the longest time. Many people here have
seen them for at least 50 years. These boar are very
much true to type, or a mixture of east and west European
wild boar. Above photo is of a rather black boar,
typical of eastern Europe.
Taken May 2009.
Wild Boar 128 slight crop
She had piglets and I stalked her to
with 6 metres. I wasn't getting the shot I wanted
due to vegetation in the way and eventually stood up to
say hello. This was her look just before running off.
I felt totally happy she would not attack.
Wild Boar 127 crop
Wild Boar 119
Above 2 images taken February 2009.
The piglets were very early this year and had to endure
several days of cold snowy wintery weather. Top image
is of a mum with a month old piglet. Lower image is
of another mum who I recognize from 2008. She was
an assistant mother then, part of a sounder. I think
she recognizes me? Note the raised tail, showing me
her anxiety. I'm sure she could smell my dogs who
were out of sight.
Wild Boar 117
This sow is about as large as they get here,
probably a metre high and weighing about 60kg.
Sightings at dawn or just later, on tracks
like this is the usual way people see them.
Wild Boar 126b
Just in case you think it's easy to see them, let alone
photograph them, here's a typical view when not on a track.
Can you see them? Two mums and 7 piglets.
I believe they are
almost pure wild boar, and perhaps the reason why some farmers
have released them here (true wild boar are notoriously
hard to keep). Boar are usually very shy, elusive
and pose no threat to people unless provoked (usually by
their dog). Some believe they have been
chased by the boar, but the truth is Wild Boar are short
sighted and will "trot" closer for an inspection of you,
often with a grunt, before galloping off. This can
be misinterpreted as aggression. One lady once told
me she had to run for her life, the boar was the size of
a pony! Mmm, just happens to be when the local press
showed a front page image of a giant boar from the US.
Below are 2 boar that came trotting close up to me for a
better look in 2008. They are within 10m of me and
stand 30cm and 80cm tall respectively (scary beasts eh?).
Wild Boar 97b
Wild Boar 108
Ever since an unfortunate boar was seen near a school in
Ruardean; minding its own business quietly foraging in the
adjoining woods; was shot by the Forestry Commission with
all the publicity and propaganda these animal killers could
muster, the boar have become obsessive targets by a few
rogue rangers here. Despite official press releases
claiming the boar are not being killed (then changed to
say only "problem" boar are killed), many of us here know
this to be an outright lie. Several of the low intellect
rangers persist in making it their mission to prove themselves
big men and women (yes, women rangers kill wild animals
too) among their peers. The "problem" issue is subjective,
and some presumably see "life" as a problem here.
This to me is poaching, undertaken by conceited and insecure
Forestry Commission rangers operating outside of their orders
and they must be stopped. This happens with the deer
as well. I hope to photograph them in the act....and
hope the good rangers (of which I think there are several
also) bring this issue to some justice. I have talked to
many folk now, and the image of the FC is very poor here
in the Forest of Dean at the moment.
Wild Boar 101
A piglet nearly 4 months old, and playing hide & seek. Adorable!
Wild Boar 112
And here's mum keeping an eye on me. Photo:
June 2008.
As a result, the boar population has crashed in the last
year. The outright over-exaggerated lie of an "estimate"
at 150-200 boar is ridiculous. If 10% of this number
exist as adults, I will be surprised. Yet despite
their persecution by the few ignorant people who know nothing
about ecology nor forest management; the remaining boar
remain placid towards well meaning humans and also dogs.
If your dog runs wild, scenting the boar down, then expect
you and your dog to come under attack if piglets are about.
Deer attack with horns, badgers with claws, birds with beaks,
but boar have teeth. Respect them and they will
do no harm to you.
Wild Boar 61 and dog
My dog Sally meeting the
gentle creatures of the Forest of Dean. This is a
male boar.
Yet the Forestry Commission are puppets to Defra (the Government's
own environmental corporate lobbyists), and sadly seem to
bow down to their dark masters all to readily, supporting
what can only be a concerted Defra campaign of lies and
spin directed at the media to give the pubic that oft-used
"terrorist" insecurity scam story (although I'm expecting
an invented "disease" scam soon - the signs are here
already - so get ready for martial law folks! -prediction
made in March 2009, for the record). 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 warning 01
Compare the viciously tusked propaganda cartoon, hackles
up, head down and ready to charge, with the real thing.
So good luck to all those piglets out there. Once
again, human ignorance and paranoia, fuelled by a corrupt
press, want them dead. Humans can't address the real
problems they themselves cause to the environment (acid
rain, water shortages, radioactive waste emissions, polluted
rivers etc) so must occupy their sad and fearful minds with
the killing of innocent animals.
"For as long
as men massacre animals, they will kill each other.
Indeed, he who sows the seed of murder and pain cannot reap
joy and love."
Pythagoras c550BC
Wild Boar 52 sow and piglets
Wild Boar 40 sow and piglets
Wild Boar 32 sow and piglets
Wild Boar 55 at nest
Wild Boar 21
Wild Boar 42
This girl is keeping on eye on my two dogs, who are next
to me here, and only 10m from the boar. On many occasions
the boar have come up to my dogs to have a sniff.
My dogs don't panic, so neither do the boar. In fact,
every single photo on this page was taken with my dogs at
my side!
Wild Boar 66
Each boar seems to have their own unique characters.....
All photographs of wild boar taken in the Forest of
Dean, UK. 2007-9.
At the moment these guys are a much needed and much loved
presence in the forest!
Wild Boar 10 crop
This one just stared all the time, and even on one occasion,
walked side by side of us back to our cars! We didn't
smell of blood and fear, so she knew she had some friends.
Wild Boar damage 03
Chris Grady surveying Wild Boar "damage" in the Forest
of Dean (2007). It is this damage the Forestry Commission
once cited as a problem and under scrutiny. This particular
damage has now all settled back and reseeded (2009).
The worst damage is now caused by rangers driving 4x4s around
woodland paths and open grass areas, searching down the
boar to shoot. The hypocrisy stinks folks!
Could I still urge people to
keep sightings of wild boar to themselves. Do not
submit sightings to the authorities as I now know they use
the information to slaughter rather than help the boar to
free and useful lives. Please don't help
to turn the Forest of Dean into a game park.
Time will tell if they are a problem, and so far they are
definitely not a problem in the slightest.
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.
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