Wild Boar in Britain

About this book

Wild boar last roamed the woodlands of Britain at the turn of the 14th century, their extinction due to over hunting and decline of habitat. But what was their downfall then has also been their salvation now – their superb flavour. Due to the demand for their meat, wild boar farms were set up in Britain in the 1980s. Inevitable, some of these Houdinis of the porcine world escaped, and they have never looked back. Populations now thrive in numerous counties throughout Britain, and the author has been studying them.

Wild Boar in Britain recounts the legends in which these beasts took a star role as well as their more factual history. It also describes the life style of the wild boar, their social lives, diet and breeding habits.Tips are given for those who would ike to go and observe them – so far there is no organised wild boar watching.

The author, fascinated by the return of this charismatic species, discusses the effects their unintentional reintroduction may have on the native British flora and whether or not they conform to the international nature conservation guidelines for reintroductions. They reintroduced themselves, but will man allow them to stay?

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Biography

Dr Martin Goulding was a Mammalian Ecologist with the Central Science Laboratory, an executive agency of the Department of Food and Rural Affairs. Martin gained his first degree in Biological Sciences and holds a Masters degree in Conservation Biology and a PhD from Sussex University in wild boar ecology. Martin has been studying, writing and lecturing about wild boars for over 10 years, and has featured in numerous television and radio programmes on the subject.