The Boars are back !!

**skauwt** · 26th November 09, 02:42 PM

well finally after about 700 years some wild boar have been released into the ancient caledonian woodland
finally man is doing his bit to bring back some of scotlands lost species and perhaps help out its ecosystem a bit more
i persoanly think this is great
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/...ds/8370348.stm

**Jock Scot** · 26th November 09, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by skauwt

well finally after about 700 years some wild boar have been released into the ancient caledonian woodland
finally man is doing his bit to bring back some of scotlands lost species and perhaps help out its ecosystem a bit more
i persoanly think this is great
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/...ds/8370348.stm

Er well, not quite.We have had a population of wild boar for the last ten years or so.Where they came from, I know not, but these wary animals are breeding happily and do on occasion provide us with some sumptuous meat.

**skauwt** · 26th November 09, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Er well, not quite.We have had a population of wild boar for the last ten years or so.Where they came from, I know not, but these wary animals are breeding happily and do on occasion provide us with some sumptuous meat.

http://www.scottishwildboar.co.uk/ hardly wild if they are reared for meat then

**Galician** · 26th November 09, 04:54 PM

They might not be "reared." Simply introduced into a region and allowed to live and breed naturally, then caught/hunted(?). I think that would qualify them as wild.

**Jock Scot** · 26th November 09, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by skauwt

http://www.scottishwildboar.co.uk/ hardly wild if they are reared for meat then

You misunderstand. These animals are as wild as wild can be. They are free to roam wherever they wish.As I say, they roamed their way here some ten years ago,from where we don't know, but for all I know the wild boar may never have been extinct in Scotland------who knows? I certainly don't!We do shoot one if we get the chance,which is rare!The usual way of seeing them ,we have found, is at night with night sights, they are not shot at night though as the risk of wounding is too great.

**HarborSpringsPiper** · 26th November 09, 05:08 PM

It will be interesting to see how this works out. Every ecosystem is different and subject to change overtime. Re-introductions of elk and wolves in different places in the US have been pretty successful but some groups consider them pests.

I guess wild boars were introduced to the US in the 1500's, not having been native here. I think they are pretty much considered an invasive species (i.e. - pest) everywhere they roam. I know in Michigan they can be shot anytime without license as they are very destructive to agricultural lands and forest also.

I don't know if these are the same type of feral pigs being re-introduced in Scotland that we have in the US, but I was surprised that the article described them as "shy and gentle". I have no personal experience with them here but stories I have heard have suggested they are quite aggressive.

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Seems there in different places in Britain now. http://www.britishwildboar.org.uk/

**skauwt** · 26th November 09, 05:26 PM

wild or not either way it'll be good for that ancient wood if only more regions started programs like that to regenerate the landscape to what it was before the sheep cattle and deer where given free run of the lands for the sake of a few quid
it must be some sight jock ,thinking back though i dont think Ive ever seen a boar one of those things i intend to change if i ever get up north for a wee bit of family tree hunting and sight seeing

**Jock Scot** · 26th November 09, 05:31 PM

Shy they most definitely are!Gentle? I am not so sure either,although no one has been molested by one ,yet.To be fair, we have few people about to disturb them and they have the whole of the highlands to wander in,if they choose.We did wound one once and things got a bit exciting for a wee while, before things got sorted out. That is why we don't shoot them with night sights.The places they go to to feed at night look like a squadron of tanks have been let loose for a few hours!The damage to the ground is very impressive!

**Galician** · 26th November 09, 06:05 PM

I'm a bit confused, Skauwt. Wouldn't deer be native there?

**james a. husky** · 26th November 09, 06:12 PM

Over here they can be quite aggressive and dangerous. As was said, our's came courtesy of an errant conquistidor and reverted to a feral state quite quickly. They can kill a human or dog easily with thier tusks which are extremely sharp.

They aren't quite as cute or docile as Tom Good's "Pinky" and "Porky" on "Good Neighbors"!

Still... As "Leroy" sez... "If it ain't Pig Meat, it ain't Bar-b-que"!

Jim aka kiltiemon