Who doesn't fancy a tiger? I wouldn't mind living in Hawaii during the winter months.I understand leopards would be just as useful if you don’t fancy tigers
https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/wild-board-in-scotland/The boar war: Surge of wild pigs in Scotland provoking alarm and call for action
By Richard Baynes
January 30, 2022, 1:32 pm
An unstoppable surge in the number of wild boars has been predicted as Scottish farmers voice deepening concerns at their environmental and economic impact.
There are several large populations of the huge swine but experts say they are now present across Scotland and failure to curb numbers means they could grow dramatically.
One estimate suggests the numbers have risen tenfold in 15 years with between 3,000 and 5,000 boar currently wild in Scotland. Ministers are being urged to take action to prevent the numbers running out of control.
Steven MacKenzie, a stalker on the Aberchalder & Glengarry Estate in the Great Glen, shoots 40 wild boar per year and believes there could be 700 of the animals in the surrounding countryside. One male boar he shot was 30 stone, and almost 8ft from rump to snout.
MacKenzie has witnessed large boar killing sheep on the estate’s farmland. “We have had a number of incidences of not just lambs but full-grown sheep being knocked down by large boar,” he said.
I wasn't aware this was a problem up here until now.
https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/wild-board-in-scotland/
So, Greenies: Eat a boar for Gaia!
I live a bit further down the A3, past Guildford, and there are supposed to be wild boar in the woods around me... I've never seen one though, even though I hike a lot.Driving back down the A3 yesterday afternoon, about halfway between the M25 junction and Guildford, I was in the outside lane and spotted a dead animal by the central reservation. I said to my wife that it looked like a young wild boar.
Very similar to, but a bit larger than this:
View attachment 54717
Poor little fellow had made it half-way across the very busy road
According to the Woodland Trust, there are an estimated 2,600 wild boar in the UK, including a breeding population in the South East.
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/animals/mammals/wild-boar/#:~:text=An estimated 2,600 animals are,Wales and North West Scotland.
…there are supposed to be wild boar in the woods around me... I've never seen one though, even though I hike a lot.
Is that a bit like the sound of one hand clapping?Try making a noise like a truffle.
maximus otter
Roll yourself into a ball and quietly repeat "I'm worth £200 an ounce, I'm worth £200 an ounce, I'm worth £200 an ounce..."Is that a bit like the sound of one hand clapping?
Field and Stream tried to raise the alarm back in January as well, in an interview with Dr. Ryan Brook, the head of the Canadian Wild Pig Research Project at the University of Saskatchewan. Brooks explained that Canada didn't the same problem with invasive feral hogs as the US does until around the 1980s. These particular super pigs were bred by humans for more robust survival in the Canadian cold — but that was before they hooked up with the other feral hogs, making this new breed particularly sturdy. And, by extension, dangerous, both to humans, and to wildlife in general:Originally crossbred to help farmed pigs grow larger and tolerate the cold temperatures of Canada, a drop in the market about two decades ago led some farmers to let their hybrid pigs run free. Now they're running very free […] The super pigs have already traversed across the international border, dipping into at least North Dakota. So, expect an even greater occurrence as the hybrid population only grows. Like on public transit, if you see something, say something. The Squeal on Pigs website makes that even easier.
They’re not messing around re feral pigs in Texas - helicopters & machine guns..Super pigs set to invade U.S.
Popular Mechanics reports that a flock of feral "super pigs" bred from wild hogs and genetically-modified factory farm pigs have begun to spread across the Canadian wilderness, and their wake of havoc may soon spread into the United States.
Field and Stream tried to raise the alarm back in January as well, in an interview with Dr. Ryan Brook, the head of the Canadian Wild Pig Research Project at the University of Saskatchewan. Brooks explained that Canada didn't the same problem with invasive feral hogs as the US does until around the 1980s. These particular super pigs were bred by humans for more robust survival in the Canadian cold — but that was before they hooked up with the other feral hogs, making this new breed particularly sturdy. And, by extension, dangerous, both to humans, and to wildlife in general:
https://boingboing.net/2023/02/27/m...super-pigs-reportedly-headed-towards-usa.html
Shocking. This is what happens when you rewild with larger fauna and predators. To me, it's a no-no.Normal for Norfolk.
A wild pig has attacked a pet dog which was being walked on an estate in Norfolk, leaving it seriously injured.
Mark and Vanessa Shadbolt were walking Luna, a cocker spaniel, on a leash at Westacre Estate near Swaffham on Monday, when the pig attacked.
"It really was horrific," said Mrs Shadbolt.
Estate owner Alec Birkbeck said the pig, part of a rewilding project, was apparently protecting her young and would be monitored.
The pigs at the estate are a hybrid between a wild boar and a domestic pig and were introduced as part of a rewilding project started several years ago, as the Eastern Daily Press first reported.
The Shadbolts were walking their two dogs through public areas and both were on leads, as is recommended by the estate management, when the sow attacked.
IMAGE SOURCE, DENNIS PEDERSEN Image caption, Wild pigs were introduced to the Norfolk estate several years ago
"I saw this huge dark thing rushing out of the long grass - at first I thought it was a rottweiler as it was very black," Mrs Shadbolt told the BBC.
"Then I realised it was a large pig and I shouted to my husband, but by then the sow had launched Luna into the air and was ripping her to pieces - she tried to fight back - but she couldn't."
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-66200666
Shocking. This is what happens when you rewild with larger fauna and predators. To me, it's a no-no.
If it came to my town Ramon, it would have been forced to marry someone and would become an alcoholic within the first month.They should have been let loose in a Norfolk seaside town instead of on the estate, At least in that town they would have faced natural predators.
Ba-a-a-a-con.Tasty.
I have no issue if it is managed properly and also if dog owners behave themselves and follow the rules - not sure what went wrong here thoughShocking. This is what happens when you rewild with larger fauna and predators. To me, it's a no-no.
Apparently wolves are their natural predatorSome cities in Italy have the problem with boars.
Balance is all.