Feeding Time: Wild Boar at Bolton Castle

12Jun
by Cherryl

Wild boar at Bolton Castle?

I didn’t know we still had wild boar in Yorkshire, but here we are, watching them in real time enjoying their lunch in the Yorkshire Dales!

Despite their extermination in medieval times, wild boar (aka – hogs/wild pigs) seem to have re-emerged across parts of the UK including Kent, Sussex, Dorset, Devon, Gloucestershire and Wales. For around 700 years there were no wild boar left roaming in the UK, but now their numbers are ever increasing.

It is legal to shoot wild boar in the UK.

In the News

Last year there were reports of possible wild boar causing havoc on a golf course in Halifax and a wild boar on the loose in the city of Sheffield – judging by the amount of litter around in the clip – maybe that’s what attracted it in??

Just last week there were reports of woman being attacked by a wild boar while sunbathing on a Costa Blanca beach near Benidorm – meanwhile, in a nearby resort “Now, local councillors have confirmed they are in contact with expert archers in a bid to stop the animals eating farmers’ crops, causing traffic accidents, messing up golf courses and in a worst case but rare scenario attacking humans”.

Sounds like wild boar might be building a poor reputation again, but it makes you wonder whether they’re starting to struggle to find food in their own habitats…. 🤔

Apparently wild boar not only run fast (up to 30mph), they swim fast as well, and adapt well to all sorts of habitats, eating almost anything.

A pheasant doing what it does best….jumping into the line of danger as mentioned previously!

People eat wild boar meat, though I doubt you’ll see it in the average supermarket; you can find websites selling boar meat and maybe butchers’ shops.

“Wild boar in the UK quickly became villanised for uprooting crops, breaking fences and interbreeding with domestic pigs. The species was caught up in a period of prolonged animal-human conflict and its habitat became increasingly fragmented. By the 16th century, boar were only present in a few areas of small, isolated woodland habitats. It became vulnerable to overhunting, and by the 17th century wild boar had become extinct in the UK.” Source: Shooting UK

Wolves are the boar’s main predator. In other countries, leopards and tigers can be added to the list.

 

Attacks on humans are said to be rare but very serious when they occur, boar can do a lot of damage. Understandably, attacks on humans are more likely during the rutting season, when the males most intensively pursuing females, in a heightened hormonal state.

Privately owned Bolton Castle, Yorkshire Dales UK

The Wild boar at Bolton castle are just a few steps away from the castle entrance, and feeding times are a popular attraction for visitors.

No Sweat

Sweating like a pig? Apparently they don’t have sweat glands and do not sweat so I’m not sure where that figure of speech came from. Pigs keep keep cool and protect themselves from sunburn by wallowing in mud and water. I’m guessing this includes wild boar as well.

Also, the image of pigs being filthy might not be completely true. In a few different places I’ve read that pigs are quite hygiene conscious, and establish their ‘loo area’ well away from where they eat and sleep.

Apparently pigs learn tricks faster than dogs!!

“The wild boar is an omnivorous mainly nocturnal animal closely related to the domestic pig. It was exterminated from the British Isles in medieval times. Wild boars were imported from the Continent for meat farming in the 1980s, and escaped animals established themselves in the wild in the early 1990s. On the Continent, wild boar cause significant damage to agriculture, and act as reservoirs for swine fever and other porcine diseases. The wild boar can be shot all year round, provided that it is listed on the fire-arms certificate.” Source: Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust

Thanks for reading, and have a lovely week ahead 😊✨

18 thoughts on “Feeding Time: Wild Boar at Bolton Castle”

  4. Ellie Thompson

    A fascinating post, Cherryl. I had no idea that we had wild boars in this country. Neither did I know that it was legal to shoot them. How cruel when they’ve struggled to become established again. I guess, if it’s in self-defence or defending crops etc., then it’s understandable. But as for being stabbed by men with daggers and the like, surely, this is animal cruelty. Mind you, I consider horse racing to be brutal, too (but that’s just my opinion). I love animals and hate to think of them suffering unnecessarily. It does make you wonder, as you say, whether they’re unable to find suitable food for themselves in the wild. Like much wildlife, they have to come into areas that men populate to enable them to find food. I had no idea boars could swim, let alone run so fast! I wouldn’t like to be chased by one, I must admit. Pigs are not only clean animals, as you said, but they’re also highly intelligent, more so apparently, than our pet dogs.

    I love all the photos you share, and the videos really bring the places you visit to life in my mind. I also love that you see so much detail in everything and everywhere you go – it makes for a wonderful read. I feel I hardly need to travel with you as my guide and travelling buddy. It’s lovely and appreciated to see it through your eyes even if they’re not places I’ll ever go to. I so look forward to your posts. It’s like having a day trip 😊. Xx 💛

    Reply

    1. Cherryl

      I never really thought much about horse racing before, in terms of cruelty…. but I’d hate to think they were suffering, I guess the training is pretty gruelling.
      Yes, I hear pigs are pretty clever, quite surprised to hear that, especially compared to dogs 🤔 well you learn something new everyday, v. interesting.

      Ha ha, I’m always happy to offer blog tours lol, you’re always welcome Ellie (if I get around to going anywhere else remotely interesting). I’m the same when I read other people’s blogs, I feel like I’ve been on so many trips and holidays without even leaving the house, it’s great. 🤗 ✨ x

      Reply

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