300 years ago we humans hunted the magnificent and intelligent wild boar (Sus scrofa) to extinction in the UK, along with most of our other big mammals such as wolf, lynx and bear. Thanks to some lucky escapees from an ignoble abattoir death the wild boar are repopulating our lands once more.Sacred to many pagan cultures, not least the Celts and the Norse, these incredible creatures were admired for their strength and bravery. They were seen as a link to the Goddess and the Underworld. As they were often seen wondering the misty marshes, their mystique was further enhanced.Wild boar live in groups called sounders which can comprise several dozen individuals, although large males will often become solitary in their search for a mate.Despite the impressively fearsome image of a large male wild boar with his curved tusks, the species is of little threat to human safety. Wild Boar prefer to keep away from humans and would only be likely to pose a threat if one was to try and corner a female with young.So why create this myspace? Well, although most people greet the news of a large mammal returning to a land that it is native to and has every right to live on as good news; others see it as an opportunity to exercise their blood-lust or to make a few quid.The Wild Boar is not yet protected in any way and already it is being killed by those people who just love running around the countryside killing things. Some people are snaring them and selling the carcasses to the restaurant industry and others are shooting them for sport, and charging people plenty for the privilege.What I want to see is this creature respected and not be subjected to the cruelty that wiped it out centauries ago.I don't agree with killing any animal for any reason - and I especially don't want to see the boar murdered from our lands again.However I begrudgingly accept that if the powers that be demand a cull (because we have already hunted to extinction the wolf, the boars natural predator - and we have destroyed too much habitat to reintroduce the wolf) THEN THIS SHOULD BE DONE BY A GOVERNMENT APPROVED MARKSMAN AND NOT EVERY HUNTER WHO WANTS TO TAKE POT SHOTS AT A LIVING CREATURE. Preferable to this would be some form of limited sterilisation programme, I stress the emphasis on LIMITED.If I had my way humans would not kill a single boar and we would reintroduce their natural predator - the wolf (which we also hunted to extinction.That is the point of this website, it's a plea to the general public to leave these social, intelligent, impressive animals alone. Don't turn them in to the play things of blood sport enthusiasts.THEY HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO EXIST ON THE LAND AS WE DO - IN FACT IT IS HUMANS WHO ARE THE POPULATION THAT IS OUT OF CONTROL, NOT THE WILD BOAR.
Wild Boar Piglets Just born
..
Boring (boaring!) disclaimer: It should be pointed out that I am not encouraging anyone to break the law to protect the Wild Boar. Thats your own decision to make all by yourself!
VIDEO BELOW: WILD BOAR ON DARTMOOR THRIVING AFTER BEING SAVED FROM THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE BY ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS (Please note the makers of the film have put the phrase "boar hunting" in the opening title - don't worry they are only observing them and hunting with cameras!)