Sunday 4 November 2012

The boar are back in town...

Although the government and Department of Agriculture refuse to state how many wild boar are lurking in Kent, (far more than any authority would care to admit!) recent investigations have revealed a small population spreading to woods around Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge. A recent investigation into the local forest in search of evidence for black leopard and puma, revealed several deer carcasses that although now quite old - were originally killed by a large cat. Some great research is being conducted in the area by a James Mitson who also photographed several boar in his local woods. Initially most of the boar in Kent were thought to originate from farms in the '70s and '80s when such animals were being presented on posh restaurant menu's, and when a severe storm struck Kent in 1987, many of these animals, along with exotic cats and wallabies escaped into the Kent wilds. Most of the boar were thought to have spread throughout East Kent and down into parts of Sussex on the marshes. However, recent investigations have revealed that there are now boar spreading through parts of Sevenoaks, and as already mentioned, down into Tonbridge. The boar were surprisingly docile, and more than happy to approach especialy after hearing the rustling of a bag. It'll be interesting to see if any of the young turn up eaten by the local 'big cat'! Photo copyright of James Mitson

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