Wild boar in Britain.

It is thought that the original British wild boar were probably extinct by the 13th century, and that 17th century attempts to re-introduce them were short lived. Between the 17th century and the 1980's, when wild boar farming began, only a handful of captive wild boar, imported from the continent as zoo exhibits, were present in Britain. Until 1987, no free-living wild boar have been present in Britain for the last 300 years.

It is thought that two captive populations of wild boar in Kent escaped when their enclosures were destroyed in the great storm of 1987, and these formed the basis of the largest population today. These have been supplemented by sporadic escapes of captive wild boar from Wildlife Parks and farms as wild boar farming increased in popularity.

 

Thank you to Martin Goulding and www.britishwildboar.org.uk for the above information and photographs. For further information about Wild boar in Britain, or to report a sighting, please see www.britishwildboar.org.uk.

Wild boar populations believed to exist in the UK Kent and East Sussex. Originated in late 1980's from a now defunct wild boar farm in Tenterden, Kent, supplemented with escapees from an also defunct abbatoir near Ashford, Kent. Population numbers likely to be above 500 animals. Dorset. Originated in mid 1990's from a now defunct wild boar farm in Bridport, Dorset. Recently supplemented with escapees from an operating boar farm in same area. Population numbers likely to still be below 100 animals. Herefordshire. Ross-on-Wye. Originated in late 1990's from a now defunct wild boar farm south of Ross-on-Wye. Population numbers increasing. Over 30 animals seen together at one location. Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean. Groups of over 20 wild boar seen several times beginning in November 2004. Many sows and piglets have been observed. Origin uncertain - either migrants from Ross-on-Wye population but more likely separate population from unknown source (possibly an unofficial deliberate release). This is an interesting situation still developing. Devon. On the 23rd December 2005 dozens of wild boar escaped from a wild boar farm after the fences were deliberately cut. Adult boars, juveniles and sows, many of which were pregnant, are still at large. Somerset. Excellent photographic evidence kindly sent in by Jeff Hazell showing a fledgeling population in Somerset. The origin of these animals is unknown. Possibly they are migrants from the Dorset population but their diurnal (out during the day) behaviour implies a recent escape or deliberate release of farm reared stock. Boar born in the wild quickly become nocturnal to avoid being shot at, which frequently happens. No stripey piglets seen to-date and it is too early to say if it is a viable population. Many sightings of wild boar have been reported in many other counties, but these are not yet considered to be viable breeding populations. Undoubtedly, several are also cases of mistaken identity, typically muntjac deer or escaped domestic/pot bellied pigs.