Species background and ecology

Wild boar (Sus scrofa) were once native to Great Britain, but have been extinct for some 300 years and following escapes or deliberate releases from wild boar farms or animal collections they have now established breeding populations in the wild.  The main colonies are in Kent/East Sussex, Dorset/Devon and the Forest of Dean with regular reports of further releases and sightings which have included areas of Wales and Scotland. 

The wild boar is the ancestor of the domestic pig and since the first escapes there have been reports of hybridisation especially in the vicinity of outdoor pig rearing units.  The actual scale of this problem is unknown but hybrids will typically display a shorter snout with a dished profile, smaller shoulders, larger ears, a curly tail and the absence of thick brown under-fur.  Pure bred European Boar are likely to be longer in the leg, typically dark in colour with a coarse bristly coat, a large head, long straight snout, relatively flattened body, and a straight tail.

Adult males weigh in the region of 120 to 150 kg and will stand 70 to 90cm at the shoulder with an overall body length of approximately 150cm.  These animals will possess razor sharp tusks which will grow progressively from two years of age.  Females are about 30% lighter in weight than males, and both sexes have a mane of longer hair running down their backs.  Piglets are red brown to ochre coloured with yellowish longitudinal stripes for the first 4 to 5 months which is then moulted to a uniform red-brown coat which in turn develops into the adult coat at about 10 to 12 months.

With good feeding both sexes can mature in under a year.  Sows can come into heat between October and May but the height of the season is between November and January.  Subordinate females coming into season may be synchronised with the dominant sow.  Gestation is 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days.  They are prolific and regular breeders with litter sizes increasing with age. When food is abundant sows can produce two litters a year and this poses issues over the practicality of a close season.  They have the potential for very rapid population growth if not actively managed.  DEFRA have assessed the population in England to be 500 -1000 animals but those who are actively managing boar consider this to be a gross underestimate.

Wild boar live in hierarchical groups of females and young usually led by the oldest sow.  Sows generally only leave the group to look after new-born piglets until they are about 2 weeks old.  The sow will normally make a farrowing nest out where the litter will be delivered. Fully grown males tend to be solitary, roaming around their territories, other than during the breeding season.  Groups of young males often stick together during summer after being pushed out by females before farrowing.

Legal Status

The keeping of farmed wild boar is controlled under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976. This means that anyone farming wild boar must have a licence from the Local Authority. The keeping of wild boar for exhibition to the public in zoos and wildlife parks is controlled by the Zoo Licensing Act 1981. Both the Classical Swine Fever (England) Order 2003 and the African Swine Fever (England) Order 2003 make provisions for notification of the disease in feral pigs (including wild boar) and restriction of hunting of feral pigs (wild boar) in designated investigation or infected areas.

Feral wild boar have no specific legal protection but are covered by more general legislation covering mammals in the wild, such as the Wild Mammals Protection Act, 1996 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. 

Impacts

Wild boar exist on a diet that is predominantly vegetarian but being omnivorous they are extremely capable of capitalising on any food source that presents itself.  Their habit of rooting through the floor of woodland and pasture leaves a dramatic indicator of their presence.  They will take both eggs and nestlings of ground nesting birds and are unlikely to be tolerated by those with game shooting interests as feeders, cover crops  and release pens may also be subject to their unwanted attention.  Damage to agriculture can be extensive if the population is allowed to increase unchecked.  There are some reports of boar taking lambs and they will most certainly feed on any carrion that they find.

Management

Wild boar are likely to be managed by shooting, trapping, or exclusion by fencing.  They pose very little threat to humans long as they are not unduly disturbed and during the breeding season any sow with piglets needs to be given a wide berth.   When injured or wounded a wild boar can be very unpredictable but needs to be followed swiftly to ease it’s suffering and this activity requires sound planning with appropriate equipment, dogs and firearms.  BASC has previously recommended that a minimum calibre for shooting this species under UK conditions should be .270 rifle with a suitably heavy bullet. Some BASC members who are actively managing wild boar would consider this calibre to be on the light side and point to the continent where 9.3mm is a popular choice.  Any rifle used for the control of wild boar needs to be specifically conditioned by the firearms licensing department of your local police force.

The crucial component of any cull management plan will be ensure that breeding sows are not shot when they are lactating and have dependent young.  As has been previously mentioned there is no defined season when litters will be born so most culling operations are likely to concentrate on males and immature females.  Trapping of such a large animal is a very specialised area and it needs detailed consideration before being contemplated.  Further advice can be obtained through the Deer Management Department if required and fencing specifications will be produced as part of the best practice guidance.

It is not illegal to shoot boar at night or under the moon and in areas of high disturbance or culling pressure this intelligent animal is likely to become exclusively nocturnal. Under such conditions it is even more important to ensure that the correct sex and age class of animal is selected.

Disease prevention

DEFRA have conducted a specific risk assessment and consider that the risk of disease incursion into the feral wild boar population to be low.  As part of their ongoing monitoring programme the Food Standards Agency have recently instigated a voluntary trichinella testing scheme for stalkers who are shooting wild boar and wish to use the meat for their own consumption or who are supplying locally without going through an approved game handling establishment. Sampling kits are supplied free of charge with postage paid envelopes provided.  The detailed location of where the animals are shot remains confidential and FSA aim to inform the stalker within two days of the results.  It is very simple to take the sample as all that is required is small piece of the diaphragm from close to the chest wall.

Anyone interested in registering for the scheme and receiving sampling kits should contact the FSA on 020 7276 8377

Best practice

Many of the points raised by BASC in its response to the Defra consultation are being addressed through the provision of best practice guidance rather than implementing new legislation.  The Wild Boar Action Plan will cover a wide range of topics such as impacts of wild boar and their management, minimum recommended firearms calibres, best practice and safe shooting and public awareness and how to react to boar in the wild.  BASC is pleased that Defra has recognised that the local strategy for dealing with wild boar must be decided by those who will be most affected by  their presence, the landowners,  farmers, and wildlife managers in the areas concerned.  This action plan is a positive first step in developing a coherent long term strategy for the management of this once indigenous species”