Irish wild boar makes a comeback

McArmalite

Now I'm not as into nature as probably the rest of you, but I was glad to hear that wild boars still exist in Ireland. Though of course we have a gobsh!te, a Barry Coad in this case, expressing that it's a ' problem ' "quite widespread throughout the country" :rolleyes:. Interesting to see they exist all the same and our ancestors did not hunt them into extinction.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8411667.stm

Mjollnir

McArmalite wrote: »

Now I'm not as into nature as probably the rest of you, but I was glad to hear that wild boars still exist in Ireland. Though of course we have a gobsh!te, a Barry Coad in this case, expressing that it's a ' problem ' "quite widespread throughout the country" :rolleyes:. Interesting to see they exist all the same and our ancestors did not hunt them into extinction.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8411667.stm

Here in California, they're a beautiful part of nature and a severe nuisance. The hunting season is year round, and tags are cheap. I'm surprised that, given their nature, they could have remained undiscovered (and alive) in Ireland so long with no one noticing.

That, and they're delicious.

This isn't me, but an acquaintance of mine. They grown them large here.

It wasn't me!

They were hunted to extinction, they've been artificially introduced. They're an astronomical agricultural problem, which cost stupid money annually in places like Germany, where they're prevalent. And with respect, what qualifies you to say that Barry Coad is wrong in saying that? Where's your information, beyond "I like wild boar, therefore having wild boar is a good thing, and to hell with the consequences"? For what it's worth, I recognise the damage they do to farmland and orchards, but still wouldn't mind seeing them on a small scale. They'll need to be rigorously controlled to be remotely feasible however, so I'll be reinforcing the hanging structure in the cooler and buying a bigger rifle.

KTRIC

Where I'm living at the moment is beside a large forest in the east of Munich. We have had problems with them coming into residential areas and digging up gardens and rooting in bins.

They are seriously dangerous if challenged and breed like rats if the weather is good.

I don't know who thought it was a good idea to re-introduce them to Ireland. :rolleyes:

KerranJast

Godammit. Now we're going to have the change the name of the town. Thanks lads :rolleyes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanturk

Graces7

Where are they please? I have seen them in pet farms here.

Dusty87

Graces7 wrote: »

Where are they please? I have seen them in pet farms here.

First recorded one shot in Tipperary few months back.

jmkennedyie

Two areas flagged on the map at http://maps.biodiversityireland.ie/Default.aspx.

From memory they were approx South Wicklow and Carlow.

Kess73

KTRIC wrote: »

Where I'm living at the moment is beside a large forest in the east of Munich. We have had problems with them coming into residential areas and digging up gardens and rooting in bins.

They are seriously dangerous if challenged and breed like rats if the weather is good.

I don't know who thought it was a good idea to re-introduce them to Ireland. :rolleyes:

Yeah the larger boars can be very testy when they feel threatened. Lived in the South East of Germany some years ago and came across them a few times in forests. Needless to say I did not provoke them.

McArmalite

It wasn't me! wrote: »

They were hunted to extinction, they've been artificially introduced. They're an astronomical agricultural problem, which cost stupid money annually in places like Germany, where they're prevalent. And with respect, what qualifies you to say that Barry Coad is wrong in saying that? Where's your information, beyond "I like wild boar, therefore having wild boar is a good thing, and to hell with the consequences"? For what it's worth, I recognise the damage they do to farmland and orchards, but still wouldn't mind seeing them on a small scale. They'll need to be rigorously controlled to be remotely feasible however, so I'll be reinforcing the hanging structure in the cooler and buying a bigger rifle.

" They were hunted to extinction, they've been artificially introduced. " When were they reintroduced ?

Dusty87

McArmalite wrote: »

When were they reintroduced ?

The only person who knows that is the one who released them, and he/she isnt going to say.

Is there any wild boar farms in Ireland? Heard there was. Is it possible it could be an escapee??

McArmalite

Dusty87 wrote: »

The only person who knows that is the one who released them, and he/she isnt going to say.

Is there any wild boar farms in Ireland? Heard there was. Is it possible it could be an escapee??

It's been known for a state to officially reintroduce an animal that has gone extinct. For example the Swiss have reintroduced the Lynx.

http://lynx.uio.no/lynx/nancy/news/cn05_01.htm

Dusty87

McArmalite wrote: »

It's been known for a state to officially reintroduce an animal that has gone extinct. For example the Swiss have reintroduced the Lynx.

Yea but if the government did introduce it, why did they keep it so secret????
Conspiracy Theories is that way

---

>:p

Alun

McArmalite wrote: »

" They were hunted to extinction, they've been artificially introduced. " When were they reintroduced ?

They weren't re-introduced, at least not in any legal way. They are more than likely either escapees from poorly secured farms (these things will bury under anything, you need serious fencing to keep them in) or a farm owner who's had enough and just set them free.

As others have said they're vicious b@stards when cornered, especially the adult males who have pretty vicious tusks, and you really wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of one in that situation. It might sound very romantic and all that, but you really don't want these things roaming around forest areas anywhere where the public has ready access if you can avoid it.

lightening

Like any wild animal, don't corner or provoke them. I have come across them abroad, they are harmless if you have a bit of cop on.

Graces7

This place has or had them and were breeding them a few years ago.

http://homepage.eircom.net/~swanislandfarm/html/locallinks.htm

Dusty87 wrote: »

The only person who knows that is the one who released them, and he/she isnt going to say.

Is there any wild boar farms in Ireland? Heard there was. Is it possible it could be an escapee??

MarkR

Reintroduce wolves. Problem solved.

bigeasyeah

MarkR wrote: »

Reintroduce wolves. Problem solved.

Then there will be a thread bemoaning the abundance of wolves.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Look lads, there were 4 individuals spotted in a 5 year period. They are not re-introduced. Neither are they re-established in any way. Let's not lose the run of ourselves in fantasy.

Half-cocked

I'm not even sure if we have enough suitable habitat in this country for a viable population to establish itself. They like deciduous woodlands and we don't have much of that here. I've seen them in the wild in Hungary and Germany and they are are very shy and will avoid humans if at all possible. Only dangerous if cornered or wounded. They do cause a lot of damage to crops and if they did establish here, I think that would be a big problem given the lack of natural food sources for them.

Git101

Jaelynn Glamorous Network wrote: »

Look lads, there were 4 individuals spotted in a 5 year period. They are not re-introduced. Neither are they re-established in any way. Let's not lose the run of ourselves in fantasy.

I saw more than that together some time ago.

There were some adults and a number of young roaming wild in woodlands.
As far as I'm aware there is no boar farm in the area where I spotted these so somebody went to the trouble of releasing them there.

I have not seen them since but I did get some video of them at the time.

McArmalite

Dusty87 wrote: »

Yea but if the government did introduce it, why did they keep it so secret????
Conspiracy Theories is that way

---

>:p

SIGH :rolleyes:, another wannabe comedian. The Humour forum is that way
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=22 where you can try and impress fellow clowns with your ' wit '

lightening wrote: »

Like any wild animal, don't corner or provoke them. I have come across them abroad, they are harmless if you have a bit of cop on.

They probably are harmless, like badgers, foxes etc if left alone and not cornered they are probably more likely to be scared of us.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Git101 wrote: »

I saw more than that together some time ago.

I have not seen them since but I did get some video of them at the time.

Look, they are being farmed and sometimes released into woodland for a while. The ones you saw are either butchered now or back in pens.

There is no viable wild herd of Boar in Ireland at present.

It always amazes me how people with such an interest in Wildlife and Nature get caught up in discussions of Boar, or Wolves, or Big Cats when they should know better. Sorry ranting again.:o

Graces7

The babies at the Leitrim farm were the prettiest things ever.
It was a privilege to see them close up.

Jaelynn Glamorous Network wrote: »

Look, they are being farmed and sometimes released into woodland for a while. The ones you saw are either butchered now or back in pens.

There is no viable wild herd of Boar in Ireland at present.

It always amazes me how people with such an interest in Wildlife and Nature get caught up in discussions of Boar, or Wolves, or Big Cats when they should know better. Sorry ranting again.:o

Mjollnir

lightening wrote: »

Like any wild animal, don't corner or provoke them. I have come across them abroad, they are harmless if you have a bit of cop on.

Good advice, up to a point. Having hunted them since my teenage years, I'm relatively familiar with their behavior. They are most definitely unpredictable, and it's rather unwise to consider them 'harmless' under any circumstances. Given the size/aggression potential, I'd suggest treating them like we treat bears: always potentially very dangerous.

donaghs

McArmalite wrote: »

SIGH :rolleyes:, another wannabe comedian. The Humour forum is that way
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=22 where you can try and impress fellow clowns with your ' wit '


They probably are harmless, like badgers, foxes etc if left alone and not cornered they are probably more likely to be scared of us.

They've escaped from farms. Wild boar farming is more fashionable noawadays.They haven't been hiding out for more than a century and just reappeared.

While I like the countryside to have some natural danger, and not to be all health & safety, wild boar are significantly more dangerous than badgers and foxes. If they do decide to charge they can kill. But that's normally a risk hunters should expect if they go after them.
http://news.scotsman.com/odd/Bin-saves-the-bacon-of.5910985.jp

Git101

Jaelynn Glamorous Network wrote: »

Look, they are being farmed and sometimes released into woodland for a while. The ones you saw are either butchered now or back in pens.

There is no viable wild herd of Boar in Ireland at present.

I am not a gobsh1te please don't treat me like one.
I was only pointing out that there were more than the "4 individuals spotted in a 5 year period"
I never mentioned that I thought there was a viable herd, in fact in a previous post on the same subject here I said that I suspected that the ones I saw had been shot.
Time to get off your high horse, Jaelynn Glamorous Network

lightening

Mjollnir wrote: »

Good advice, up to a point. Having hunted them since my teenage years, I'm relatively familiar with their behavior. They are most definitely unpredictable, and it's rather unwise to consider them 'harmless' under any circumstances. Given the size/aggression potential, I'd suggest treating them like we treat bears: always potentially very dangerous.

Fair enough, you have more experience with them than me.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Git101 wrote: »

I am not a gobsh1te please don't treat me like one.
I was only pointing out that there were more than the "4 individuals spotted in a 5 year period"
I never mentioned that I thought there was a viable herd, in fact in a previous post on the same subject here I said that I suspected that the ones I saw had been shot.
Time to get off your high horse, Srameen

I never said you were. Why perpetuate the line that "Wild" Boar are roaming free in Ireland?

No High Horse intended just stating FACTS.

I'm fast thinking it's time to abandon this thread!

mayordenis

bigeasyeah wrote: »

Then there will be a thread bemoaning the abundance of wolves.

Later, Bart receives an award from Mayor Quimby outside the town hall. Several lizards slink past.

QUIMBY
For decimating our pigeon population, and making Springfield a less oppressive place to while away our worthless lives, I present you with this scented candle.

Skinner talks to Lisa.

SKINNER
Well, I was wrong. The lizards are a godsend.

LISA
But isn't that a bit short-sighted? What happens when we're overrun by lizards?

SKINNER
No problem. We simply unleash wave after wave of Chinese needle snakes. They'll wipe out the lizards.

LISA
But aren't the snakes even worse?

SKINNER
Yes, but we're prepared for that. We've lined up a fabulous type of gorilla that thrives on snake meat.

LISA
But then we're stuck with gorillas!

SKINNER
No, that's the beautiful part. When wintertime rolls around, the gorillas simply freeze to death.

The family head back to the car.

McArmalite

Mjollnir wrote: »

Good advice, up to a point. Having hunted them since my teenage years, I'm relatively familiar with their behavior. They are most definitely unpredictable, and it's rather unwise to consider them 'harmless' under any circumstances. Given the size/aggression potential, I'd suggest treating them like we treat bears: always potentially very dangerous.

" I'd suggest treating them like we treat bears: always potentially very dangerous. "
Interesting, now we appear to have man killing/mauling/hunting boars. How many people have been killed by them in say the last 10 years ?

(And accidents such as a car swerving to avoid them does not count ).

johngalway

McArmalite wrote: »

" I'd suggest treating them like we treat bears: always potentially very dangerous. "
Interesting, now we appear to have man killing/mauling/hunting boars. How many people have been killed by them in say the last 10 years ?

(And accidents such as a car swerving to avoid them does not count ).

:rolleyes:

Maybe read the guys location first.

Half-cocked

McArmalite wrote: »

" I'd suggest treating them like we treat bears: always potentially very dangerous. "
Interesting, now we appear to have man killing/mauling/hunting boars. How many people have been killed by them in say the last 10 years ?

(And accidents such as a car swerving to avoid them does not count ).

Only time I've heard of people being injured by them is hunters getting gored by wounded/cornerd animals. I've come face to face with dozens of them on my friends farm in northern Germany and also in Hungary, and every time they have turned tail and sped off like greyhounds out of a trap. In areas where they are hunted (most of Europe) they are intelligent enough animals to know not to stick around when humans are present. Ironicaly, boar that have escaped from or been released from captivity (lets call them feral boar) may pose a risk to humans. They won't have an instinctive fear of us and this could make them more danderous than their truly wild cousins. In the UK, new escapees often wander around in daylight and come into urban areas. As soon as they get shot at, they become nocturnal and start to behave more like a true wild boar. Does anyone remember the feral pot bellied pig a few years back, I think it was in Co. Waterford, that attacked some children? The theory was that it was an unwanted pet as it had grown enormous. Not being afraid of humans, it had settled down in the wild and defended its territory when the children wandered too close. 'Feral' boar could possibly behave the same way.

McArmalite

johngalway wrote: »

:rolleyes:

Maybe read the guys location first.

Ok, he's from Los Angeles, but the point I'm making is that I'll bet their relatively harmless creatures. I'm from the northwest and I heard all sorts of stories about how aggresive and destructive escaped mink where but still have never heard of anyone, thankfully, been attacked or seen any proof of farm animals been killed by them.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

McArmalite wrote: »

Ok, he's in Los Angeles, but I bet the chances of getting killed by a boar in California are much, much less than a crazy homie, nazi LAPD cop, drunk driver, rattle snake etc

McArmalite wrote: »

SIGH , another wannabe comedian. The Humour forum is that way
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=22 where you can try and impress fellow clowns with your ' wit '

Pots and Kettles. Can we cut out the gags and stick to the subject of Nature?

lightening

I actually thought you were a moderator all along Srameen!

Anyway, there must be different breeds of boar. I have come across them in Malaysia and they were almost friendly. Other places in Europe, terrified of humans, Mjollnir however, from LA where they are as dangerous as can be... So, I guess it depends on the ones that are knocking around Ireland.

Here is the one I saw in on an island just off Kota Kinabalu, very big and from what I can see on youtube, very different to European ones. I don't know if they are indigenous, but it's obviously used to humans, came out of thick jungle to rob bins.

You don't really get an idea of size, it's about twice the size of a normal labrador. Maybe a bit taller.

recedite

donaghs wrote: »

While I like the countryside to have some natural danger, and not to be all health & safety, wild boar are significantly more dangerous than badgers and foxes.

We are a nation of Wildlife Wimps. Is there any other country in the world where someone could say that without a hint of irony! I suppose if the most fearsome creature lurking in the woods is a badger with a hangover, then even a wild pig seems dangerous.:D

Mjollnir

McArmalite wrote: »

" I'd suggest treating them like we treat bears: always potentially very dangerous. "
Interesting, now we appear to have man killing/mauling/hunting boars. How many people have been killed by them in say the last 10 years ?

(And accidents such as a car swerving to avoid them does not count ).

I have no idea how many, and no one but you has mentioned either man killing or "man hunting" boars, so I'm not quite sure what you're getting at.

However, it remains a fact that the potential for mauling is great to someone foolish enough to approach or in some other way try and interact at short distance with a large, wild animal, at times weighing in excess of several hundred pounds and armed with fangs.

I've seen them kill the dogs used to hunt them very easily, and an unarmed human isn't particularly better suited to defending itself from a boar with defense in mind.

Google 'wild boar attacks' if you're of a mind, and find out for yourself.

Or, what the ****, go find one, walk up to it and try and pet it.

Mjollnir

Half-cocked wrote: »

Only time I've heard of people being injured by them is hunters getting gored by wounded/cornerd animals. I've come face to face with dozens of them on my friends farm in northern Germany and also in Hungary, and every time they have turned tail and sped off like greyhounds out of a trap. In areas where they are hunted (most of Europe) they are intelligent enough animals to know not to stick around when humans are present. Ironicaly, boar that have escaped from or been released from captivity (lets call them feral boar) may pose a risk to humans. They won't have an instinctive fear of us and this could make them more danderous than their truly wild cousins. In the UK, new escapees often wander around in daylight and come into urban areas. As soon as they get shot at, they become nocturnal and start to behave more like a true wild boar. Does anyone remember the feral pot bellied pig a few years back, I think it was in Co. Waterford, that attacked some children? The theory was that it was an unwanted pet as it had grown enormous. Not being afraid of humans, it had settled down in the wild and defended its territory when the children wandered too close. 'Feral' boar could possibly behave the same way.

Usually, yes, they have a tendency to run off if they spot you approaching them, but, again, these are wild animals, in their own environment, and not particularly predictable.

Where I grew up and still hunt, Monterey County, CA and in parts of the south, like Georgia, then can grow over 400 lbs and, depending on the season, be much more or much less aggressive. And one never knows what else might be in the immediate vicinity that could spook the pig.

Here's a little parade of idiots:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WwK_1SFE_8&feature=related
http://s713.photobucket.com/albums/ww139/Edro20/?action=view&current=divocak.flv
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=og5rKt9VYX0

Now, granted, they're all hunters, but the point is these are always potentially dangerous animals, and it's asking for trouble approaching them for whatever reason.

Pete M.

Maybe people are getting them mixed up with them there miniature deer on the loose up round wicklow?

Seriously though, wouldn't it be cool to have wild wolves and bears and boar knocking around the derelict estates and that.

Would liven the place up a bit.

Though I expect this is not too far off what with the 8 foot of snow we're going to get, or maybe not, or maybe.....

There's defo none in aorund Sligo though, either they'd be shot be one of the snipers we have lurkin in the forests here or else the feckin deer would eat them. They' eat anything them bucks....

Wasn't it a favorite past time of Hunter S. Thompsons? Wandering around, loaded, carrying a magnum or something, with bullets in it, taking out wild boar in Cali?

Valmont

Next thing you know there will be a thread about our new wild Llama residents since they were spotted on the M50 that one time.

Graces7

Depends on what you mean by "farm animals"....

We have seen lambs lost to mink; also we lost hens and had a pet cat attacked.

In rural areas they are a pest. And earn their reputation.

McArmalite wrote: »

Ok, he's from Los Angeles, but the point I'm making is that I'll bet their relatively harmless creatures. I'm from the northwest and I heard all sorts of stories about how aggresive and destructive escaped mink where but still have never heard of anyone, thankfully, been attacked or seen any proof of farm animals been killed by them.

Superdaddy

Alun wrote: »

They weren't re-introduced, at least not in any legal way. They are more than likely either escapees from poorly secured farms (these things will bury under anything, you need serious fencing to keep them in) or a farm owner who's had enough and just set them free.

As others have said they're vicious b@stards when cornered, especially the adult males who have pretty vicious tusks, and you really wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of one in that situation. It might sound very romantic and all that, but you really don't want these things roaming around forest areas anywhere where the public has ready access if you can avoid it.

Boar will not attack unprovoked in the wild. Hunters are releasing them and that is a fact, they are easily bought and i know several hunters that have been offered them for sale. You can even buy them in the buy and sell.
There has been a major push by a number of hunters to introduce Muntjac, Wild Boar and Roe deer in recent years. This is not fiction, these animals are in the wild in Ireland and they may or may not establish a population.

Jaelynn Glamorous Network wrote: »

Look lads, there were 4 individuals spotted in a 5 year period. They are not re-introduced. Neither are they re-established in any way. Let's not lose the run of ourselves in fantasy.

They have been released in many sites around the country, they have been exterminated in some sites but i am sure they have survived in others. Once they develop a fear of humans they will vanish and several generations later they will reappear in numbers again. Look at where the sika deer population came from and how a few animals released 140 years ago has now resulted in upwards of 100,000 in the east of Ireland.

Half-cocked wrote: »

I'm not even sure if we have enough suitable habitat in this country for a viable population to establish itself. They like deciduous woodlands and we don't have much of that here. I've seen them in the wild in Hungary and Germany and they are are very shy and will avoid humans if at all possible. Only dangerous if cornered or wounded. They do cause a lot of damage to crops and if they did establish here, I think that would be a big problem given the lack of natural food sources for them.

We have plenty of cover i.e forestry beside crops and we have a very mild climate. With the increase in native woodlands and forestry ireland has never suited them better.

If they get a foothold they will cause huge problems for farming in Ireland. Would i like to see wild boar in the wild? Of course i would, in a selfish sort of way:o. But it's not a good thing for the farming community and i don't think our Irish hunters would be able to keep control of them. Look at how out of control the deer population is in Ireland.

boneless

Okay. I think this one is descending into farce. Locked unless someone can give me a very good reason to re-open it.