WILD BOAR POPULATIONS IN THE UK
more widely. The point is that wild boar, on their own, are neither bad nor good – they are a native species that play a role in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
Back in the forest, David believes that people are slowly becoming more accepting of the newcomers. “That fear of not knowing what a boar looks like and how it acts has gone, because over the years, most people have seen one,” he says. “They’ve all got stories to tell.”
I ask David what he likes about the boar and he tries to articulate it, referring to a ‘shamanic’ attachment that goes back centuries. Their presence in the environment takes you back thousands of years in time, he suggests. “It’s a connection that’s hard to put into words.”
I understand what he’s getting at. The brief encounters I’ve had with wild boar have been just that little bit wilder than anything else in a British wood, and for the sake of a few bluebells and unkempt lawns, I’ll take that.
James Fair jamesfairwildlife.co.uk
There may be over 4,000 wild boar at large in the UK, with four main populations and many smaller ones, including confirmed sightings in Scotland. For context, France holds around 700,000 wild boar.
Kent/East Sussex
Wild boar have been discovered in the wooded lowlands of the Weald of Kent and East Sussex and the population may number 250–300 individuals. These are thought to be descendents from escapees from a wild boar farm.
Forest of Dean
As detailed in this article, 400–1,600 wild boar are roaming this Gloucestershire forest, with individuals and family groups now being spotted in the neighbouring Wye Valley and the farmlands of Monmouthshire and Herefordshire.
West Dorset
A population of over 50 wild boar has established itself in west Dorset, with many sightings in neighbouring Somerset, too.
North Devon
Breeding wild boar have been spotted frequently on Exmoor and surrounding wooded valleys. Again, these are thought to have originated as escapees from boar farms. Total numbers are believed to be between 50 and 100.