Letter: Keep well away from wild boar in the New Forest

AFTER reading the article on wild boar (A&T 1st Mar) I had to share my experience.

A few years ago my wife and I were on a cabin holiday in the Forest of Dean. On the final day my two dogs, Latte and Mocha, were taken for a short walk before the journey back to Christchurch.

Latte was attacked by a wild boar and was in some distress. Mocha, stupidly or bravely, went after the boar and saw him off.

We tried to get Latte to a local vet in Lydney but three vets refused because "it was their surgery day"! I pleaded to them, saying a piece is missing from his back and has severe gash on his undercarriage, but to no avail. I finally found one who did care and he sedated Latte for the three-hour journey home.

I pre-warned Priory Vets in Purewell and they said "no problem, it is our surgery day and we are very busy but we will be ready for him".

We made it home safely, the surgery was successfully performed and Latte survived. Both dogs are still going strong.

Moral: stay away from boars, because you and your pet may not be so lucky.

Ron Francis
Christchurch

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REFERRING to your article in A&T 1st March regarding wild boars, this contribution should act as a warning to all.

There was an introduction of wild boar into the Forest of Dean (FOD) back in 2004 when about 60 were illegally released near Staunton in Gloucestershire.

There was little concern. The FOD is quite a large area of land, so unconcerned, the council (FODC) fell asleep at the wheel. By 2020, the population had grown to approx 1,200.

By now, the FODC had just woken up out of their slumber and realised that these animals were actually a danger to the general public, especially dog walkers as there had been a number of injuries to both classes of visitor. The amount of culling was stepped up and between 2020 and 2023, 2,478 wild boar lost their lives.

The estimated number now left is around 440, as shown in the last survey. However, the survey does not include the vast areas of private land surrounding the forest, so that number is conservative.

Just to give everyone a flavour of the potential danger, here are a few statistics:

Males can weigh up to 200kg, the mean average is 80-100kg. Size can vary according to age, (obviously) but don't be surprised if you met one that was 80cm to the shoulder.

Max speed 30mph. They can even outrun an Olympic sprinter. Their relatively short legs are no hindrance to their performance.

Life span can be anywhere between five and 15 years, and sows can breed twice a year giving birth to between three and 12 piglets each time.

They are highly destructive to property and if you hit one with a car, the chances are the car will be a write-off and the boar will walk away.

There is plenty of info online, let’s hope the Forest authorities here do not fall asleep at the wheel here, all they need to is speak to FODC to learn a few practical lessons.

Name and address supplied