The wild boar - a huge, fierce, pig-like animal, supposedly became extinct in Britain around the year 1700. They were hunted to extinction and were nice to eat - King Henry VIII, for example, loved eating them during his feasts. But recently, there have been many sightings of wild boar across England and one man says that they may not be extinct in England after all, and may be growing in numbers.
Coming soon to a bin near you, the wild boar bunch
By Amy Iggulden
(Filed: 30/09/2006)
For an animal that is supposed to be extinct in Britain, the whiskery, fearsome wild boar is doing exceptionally well.
A bit too well.
Derek Harman tracks wild boar in Bixley Wood, East Sussex
The species, which is variously accused of being a lamb-eater, man-biter and "the Houdini of the captive mammal world", has spread across the south from Kent to Gloucestershire and been seen in North Yorkshire, Northumberland and Norfolk.
Last week one was seen running wild in the Highlands, suggesting the species could be about to take hold north of the border.
Some experts fear they could soon follow foxes into urban areas to pillage bins.
"Wild boar populations grow very slowly at first but there comes a point when they go through the roof," said Martin Goulding, a former scientist at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
"Because it has no natural predators in Britain, no lynx (maybe) or wolf for example, the populations could soar at any time. They are already scavenging through bins in Berlin and could be doing the same here soon."
When The Daily Telegraph went boar-spotting in the tangled forests of East Sussex yesterday, evidence of the country's oldest and largest population was everywhere.
Derek Harman, a boar-tracker, pointed out chicken wire fences which had been breached, grassy paths churned up, and muddy puddles where cloven footprints were clearly discernible.
The wild boar population is estimated at between 500 and 1,000 but it remains unregulated by the Government and unmonitored by animal health specialists.
If the species imitates its European peers, it could cause road accidents, savage dogs and cause crop damage. French farmers receive more than £10 million a year in compensation for boar damage from their government.
Wild boar died out in Britain in the 17th century and for 300 years was seen only on pub signs, heraldry and inside expensive foreign sausages.
But when the hurricane of 1987 broke fencing at captive boar farms, the animals escaped and set up feral colonies, encouraging others to flee later and earning the nickname "Houdini of the captive mammal world".
First they were seen trotting around Kent and East Sussex, then they moved farther afield.
Mr Harman, a former gamekeeper and poacher who became obsessed with wild boar 16 years ago when his wife discovered a "big black pig" in the middle of a road near Tenterden, Kent, said: "I used to think wild boar were a terrible risk to everything, to health, crops and land because of foot and mouth.
"But gradually, as the years went by, I realised that none of that had happened."
As he moved through ferny undergrowth in Bixley Wood, near Peasmarsh, he added: "The population in this wood is controlling itself, depending on the food available, and they will only become aggressive if they are provoked.
"I think they are fantastic creatures now. I have more than a sneaking admiration for them." But many do not share his view.
In a Defra consultation, more than 40 per cent of almost 250 interested parties said the animals should be eradicated.
Many others called for a shooting season, to allow culling and to stop indiscriminate shooting of pregnant sows. A decision is due later this year or in January, but organised wild boar shoots are already being planned.
"Wild boar have a bad reputation, but it is unfair," said Mr Harman. "When you see them, they make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Just don't start pestering a sow with piglets, or you'll have to learn how climb a tree, fast."
aiggulden@telegraph.co.uk
telegraph.co.uk
Coming soon to a bin near you, the wild boar bunch
By Amy Iggulden
(Filed: 30/09/2006)
For an animal that is supposed to be extinct in Britain, the whiskery, fearsome wild boar is doing exceptionally well.
A bit too well.
The species, which is variously accused of being a lamb-eater, man-biter and "the Houdini of the captive mammal world", has spread across the south from Kent to Gloucestershire and been seen in North Yorkshire, Northumberland and Norfolk.
Last week one was seen running wild in the Highlands, suggesting the species could be about to take hold north of the border.
Some experts fear they could soon follow foxes into urban areas to pillage bins.
"Wild boar populations grow very slowly at first but there comes a point when they go through the roof," said Martin Goulding, a former scientist at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
"Because it has no natural predators in Britain, no lynx (maybe) or wolf for example, the populations could soar at any time. They are already scavenging through bins in Berlin and could be doing the same here soon."
When The Daily Telegraph went boar-spotting in the tangled forests of East Sussex yesterday, evidence of the country's oldest and largest population was everywhere.
Derek Harman, a boar-tracker, pointed out chicken wire fences which had been breached, grassy paths churned up, and muddy puddles where cloven footprints were clearly discernible.
The wild boar population is estimated at between 500 and 1,000 but it remains unregulated by the Government and unmonitored by animal health specialists.
If the species imitates its European peers, it could cause road accidents, savage dogs and cause crop damage. French farmers receive more than £10 million a year in compensation for boar damage from their government.
Wild boar died out in Britain in the 17th century and for 300 years was seen only on pub signs, heraldry and inside expensive foreign sausages.
But when the hurricane of 1987 broke fencing at captive boar farms, the animals escaped and set up feral colonies, encouraging others to flee later and earning the nickname "Houdini of the captive mammal world".
First they were seen trotting around Kent and East Sussex, then they moved farther afield.
Mr Harman, a former gamekeeper and poacher who became obsessed with wild boar 16 years ago when his wife discovered a "big black pig" in the middle of a road near Tenterden, Kent, said: "I used to think wild boar were a terrible risk to everything, to health, crops and land because of foot and mouth.
"But gradually, as the years went by, I realised that none of that had happened."
As he moved through ferny undergrowth in Bixley Wood, near Peasmarsh, he added: "The population in this wood is controlling itself, depending on the food available, and they will only become aggressive if they are provoked.
"I think they are fantastic creatures now. I have more than a sneaking admiration for them." But many do not share his view.
In a Defra consultation, more than 40 per cent of almost 250 interested parties said the animals should be eradicated.
Many others called for a shooting season, to allow culling and to stop indiscriminate shooting of pregnant sows. A decision is due later this year or in January, but organised wild boar shoots are already being planned.
"Wild boar have a bad reputation, but it is unfair," said Mr Harman. "When you see them, they make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Just don't start pestering a sow with piglets, or you'll have to learn how climb a tree, fast."
aiggulden@telegraph.co.uk
telegraph.co.uk
