The Boars are back !!

**Bugbear** · 27th November 09, 08:31 AM

Don't worry, Jock, everything's bigger in Texas.

**MacLowlife** · 27th November 09, 08:53 AM

In South Carolina we have both Russian boars and feral pigs. My understanding is, it doesn't take long at all for domestic pigs to go wild. They seem to like swamps and bottomlands, where acorns are plentiful.

The white tailed deer are notorious throughout much of the US for their ability to adapt to residential development. Less troublesome, but around just the same, are raccoons, opossums, rabbits, etc. Someone pointed out that wild animals will find suitable habitat if it is around. Oddly enough, the habitat which appeals to many wild species is otherwise known as golf courses. They attract Canada Geese and, in some places, wild hogs. Oh, and the Sporran-lizard, also known as alligator.

**HeathBar** · 27th November 09, 09:30 AM

Just curious as to what the natural predator of these re-introduced wild pigs might be. The only thing I can think of is wolves. Are there any wolves left in Scotland? If the pigs have an abundant food supply but no natural predators, then they will over populate themselves in a few generations.

**Jock Scot** · 27th November 09, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by HeathBar

Just curious as to what the natural predator of these re-introduced wild pigs might be. The only thing I can think of is wolves. Are there any wolves left in Scotland? If the pigs have an abundant food supply but no natural predators, then they will over populate themselves in a few generations.

There are no wolves in the wild in Scotland these days. There is a chap who is intending to release some into a large(umpteen thousand acres) electrified pen.There are mixed views on whether this should be attempted.

**piperdbh** · 27th November 09, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

There are no wolves in the wild in Scotland these days. There is a chap who is intending to release some into a large(umpteen thousand acres) electrified pen.There are mixed views on whether this should be attempted.

Didn't Archie try this in series 3? Golly told him not to do it. Maybe the gentleman mentioned above can learn from Archie's mistakes.

**Galician** · 27th November 09, 10:01 AM

thousands of acres of electrified fence??!! Is that even possible?

**Jock Scot** · 27th November 09, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by Galician

thousands of acres of electrified fence??!! Is that even possible?

Ok,OK,OKAY! How about. A large pen of some umpteen thousand acres, surrounded by an electrified fence. Is that better?

**Bugbear** · 27th November 09, 10:10 AM

Hmmm, I thought Arlen had a thread on seeing a wolf over in Scotland a while back. Maby I have that mixed up with a fox. *Yep, looks like it was a fox.*

Anyway, I consider people natural boar predators.

**dfmacliam** · 27th November 09, 11:20 AM

Lol we have wolves in Texas, and they cannot stop the pigs... The Mexican Lobo was reintroduced, and there have been more and more sightings of the jaguar, which was once thought to have died out... of course it's not uncommon to spy the mountain lion or bobcats, anymore..

One time driving north of Houston towards Corsicana.. I counted an excess of 10 pigs that lost the duel with autos on I45

**sydnie7** · 27th November 09, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by peacekeeper83

Lol we have wolves in Texas, and they cannot stop the pigs... The Mexican Lobo was reintroduced, and there have been more and more sightings of the jaguar, which was once thought to have died out... of course it's not uncommon to spy the mountain lion or bobcats, anymore..

One time driving north of Houston towards Corsicana.. I counted an excess of 10 pigs that lost the duel with autos on I45

Problem is, with the size of most autos in the UK, the boars will win. . . or at least it will be a lose-lose.

BTW great to hear about the jaguar sightings, I read of one years ago in ?Smithsonian? that was the first in decades, hadn't heard anything more.