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Wild Boar set free
Pack of wild boar released into countryside
Public warned not to approach pack of stampeding WILD BOARS released during burglary
A PACK of 21 wild boars are roaming the streets today after being released during a burglary.
By: Benjamin Russell
Published: Mon, April 28, 2014
Police have warned the public not to approach the animals [ATHENA ]
The dangerous giant pigs, which the public have been warned not to approach, were let loose from a secure pen during a break in at a farm.
The tusked animals stampeded through the streets of the small village of Maesteg, near Bridgend, South Wales, before making off into surrounding woodland.
It is feared the boars may charge anyone who tries to approach them, as they will be disorientated and are not used to being out of their pens.
Wild boars are usually nocturnal and can travel up to 30 miles a day searching for food in the early morning or late afternoon and evening.
However, they are not thought to be an immediate threat to the public but could potentially attack other livestock.
Police have arrested six people in connection to the burglary at Ewenny Road in Maesteg yesterday.
Detectives said the farmer holds a dangerous animals licence and had the necessary fencing to prevent escapes.
Inspector Paul Thomas said: "These animals are recognised as posing a potential threat. People should take as much care as possible.
"We are investigating the criminal damage and the release of dangerous wild animals, which can carry a sentence in prison."
Members of the public are asked to contact police "as a priority" if they encounter the animals.
Wild boar are covered by the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 and a licence is needed to farm them.
But there is no central register listing all the wild boar farms in the UK and the total number of wild boar farms is unknown.
Escapes of wild boar from farms and parks have led to around 500 wild boars living in the wild.
The are currently "breeding populations" in Kent, Gloucestershire, Dorset and Devon.
The animals have thrived in the British climate and are not affected by cold winters or wet weather.
They have a large, hard-skulled head with tusks and have been known to charge at hikers and dogs.
They have short legs but can run at high speeds, they are also capable of swimming great distances.
The animals have also been behind campaigns of destruction attacking livestock and destroying farm land.
Gloucestershire-based vet Kate Kerry, has treated dogs who have been attacked by boars in the Forest of Dean.
She said: "They are becoming less fearful because people are feeding them.
"Inherently, boar are meant to be timid of people and run away.
"But what we're seeing more recently is encounters where boar are standing up for themselves and it's the people and the dogs which have got to back down pretty swiftly."
The Forestry Commission have tried to carry out a cull of boars in the Forest of Dean but were unsuccessful.
Wild boars were once native to the forests of Britain but became extinct during medieval times.
Attempts were made in the 18th and 19th were made by to reintroduce them onto private estates for hunting purposes.
But it was only in the 1980s, when wild boar farming became more popular, that large numbers began being imported into the country.
Anyone who sees the wild boars should call South Wales Police on 101.
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