Natural England - Wild boar

Wild boar

Advice and legislation relating to the management and control of wild boar.

Wild boar

Wild boar action plan

Defra policy is that primary responsibility for feral wild boar management lies with local communities and individual landowners. However, Government will help facilitate this regional management through the provision of advice and guidance.

On 19 February 2008 Defra published its Wild boar action plan [912 kB] pdf document outlining the government’s responsibilities in the management of feral wild boar in England.

 Indicative distribution of wild boar in England based on data compiled for the Defra consultation and Wildlife Management Team monitoring data

Current status

There are three established feral breeding populations; the largest, in Kent/Sussex was estimated in 2004 at approximately 200 animals in the core distribution area, the second largest in the Forest of Dean/Ross on Wye area, where there may be in excess of 50 animals, and the smallest, in west Dorset, where there are still believed to be fewer than 50 animals. Since winter 2005/6 significant escapes/releases have resulted in animals colonising areas around the fringes of Dartmoor and evidence of breeding in the wild has been recorded (Natural England data). These are considered as an additional single new breeding population and it is currently estimated (Natural England estimate, based on reports and records) that there are up to around 50 animals in this population. There have also been further release incidents in Devon in 2007, potentially resulting in many 10s of animals being left in the wild. The English feral wild boar population is estimated at probably no more than around 500 in the established populations, and almost certainly fewer than 1000 in total.

What should I do if I see wild boar?

Wild boar are normally secretive and nocturnal if they are not interfered with and there are very few documented cases of boar attacking people in Europe or elsewhere. There have been some reports of wild boar in this country appearing not to show any fear of people. It is suspected that some of these may be recently escaped or released animals. The following advice and guidance is offered to those who may encounter wild boar whilst out walking in the countryside:

  • If walking in an area known or suspected to be occupied by wild boar, dogs should be kept on a lead.
  • Avoid walking through dense undergrowth where wild boar may be encountered at close quarters.
  • If you see wild boar, do not approach them; if possible leave the area by the same route you approached by, or make a detour giving the animals a wide berth.
  • If you see wild boar and you have a dog off the lead, call the dog to heel and put it on a lead immediately.
  • If you have a dog off the lead and it chases wild boar or will not return when called, stay at a safe distance and continue to call the dog back; do not approach the boar.
  • Sows with young piglets are potentially more dangerous than other boar because they may attempt to defend their young. They have a prolonged breeding season but most litters are born in spring. Avoid walking in areas known or suspected to be occupied by wild boar during this period (February to May). In particular, avoid dense woodland or other thick cover as such areas are favoured as resting and breeding sites.

In many cases, if boar are seen from a safe distance, it may be possible to simply wait until they have left the area of their own accord before proceeding.

Public safety is primarily the concern of the Police rather than Natural England. If you are concerned that wild boar are present and a safety hazard in a particular area you should inform the local Police.

What legal restrictions are there on how wild boar can be controlled?

There are no specific legal restrictions governing how wild boar can be controlled. Live-catch cage traps are sometimes used to capture wild boar for research or control purposes. However, the general protection against cruelty afforded by the Protection of Animals Acts 1911-1927 and the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 apply. In addition, wild boar are potentially dangerous and difficult to deal with at close quarters so live-trapping is only likely to be appropriate where experienced and trained personnel are involved

Police Firearms Licensing Branches require that wild boar are specifically listed on an individual's firearms certificate (FAC) before they may use a rifle to shoot wild boar. They do not consider the term "other vermin", which often appears on FACs to permit the culling of species such as foxes, to include wild boar. The most suitable type of firearm for shooting wild boar is a centre-fire rifle comparable with those permitted for deer culling under the Deer Act 1991. However, the minimum calibre permitted for deer is widely considered to be inadequate to ensure a clean kill for wild boar. Police guidance suggests a minimum calibre of .270 Winchester, or its metric equivalent (see Home Office; Firearms Law: Guidance to the Police, 2002) and a FAC will normally only be endorsed for shooting of wild boar if the rifle held is of .270 calibre or larger. Wild boar will normally only be added to a FAC if the holder has authority to shoot on land within an area known to have wild boar present.

Should I report sightings of wild boar?

The Natural England Wildlife Management & Licensing Service aims to monitor the status of the known feral boar populations and any new reports of boar or feral pigs. Reports can be submitted by email wildlife@naturalengland.org.uk or by telephone through the Wildlife Licensing Unit (Tel. 0845 6014523)

For further guidance on reporting a sighting see Exotic mammals. For more information on wild boar please download Natural England's advisory leaflet SIN002 Feral wild boar which can also be obtained from the Wildlife Management and Licensing Service.

Reporting damage caused by wild boar

Natural England's Wildlife Management and Licensing team are interested in recording instances of agricultural damage attributed to wild boar.

To report instances of recent damage, please contact us.

Wild boar public consultation

Defra launched a public consultation on wild boar in England in September 2005. In this views were invited on the overall strategy that should be adopted for the control or management of wild boar and on other issues relevant to their management. The Government's overall aim is to ensure an acceptable balance between wild boar and the interests of conservation, farming, horticulture, woodland management, infrastructure and human safety as well as the welfare of the boar. The consultation closed on 6 January 2006, the consultation documents can be viewed below:

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