IN REPLY to the anonymous author of last week's Hogwatch letter about wild boar, I would like to make it clear, contrary to the author's claims, that Friends of the Boar do have a contact address. This can be found via http://www.FriendsoftheBoar.info">www.FriendsoftheBoar.info. It was form­ed in 2010 by Dr David Slater, Alastair Fraser and Joyce Moss, with support from wildlife supporters, conservationists, photographers, MPs and some local councillors. You can contact me if you so wish via the website, or leave a comment.

Far from being anonymous and unhelpful, last year I sat on the Wild Boar Scrutiny Committee alongside Verderer Ian Standing, the Forestry Commission and other notable experts in wild boar research. My name has been published many times with regard to Friends of the Boar, alongside my contact details. I personally have never shied away from making myself available or hands on, having personally undertaken several repairs to private gardens and roadsides, each time as a result of someone contacting Friends of the Boar – so clearly we are contactable.

Hogwatch is another recent addition to the wild boar debate. This alternative viewpoint I welcome, but sadly it has no mission statement nor contact details on its Facebook page, an hypocritical omission I hope will be amended. What is clear, however, is that Hogwatch represents a type of person who prefers a manicured edge to a forest (or would-be country park if they had their way), who shakes at the sight of unpredictable wildlife (that's all wildlife!) and blindly goes through life without noticing all the damage to roadsides and amenity areas that people and vehicles make.

Another newbee to the wild boar scene is the Wild Boar Trust, a breakaway group from the Friends of the Boar who are now pro-Forestry Commission. Its founders are also involved with badger groups and hunt-saboteurs as well as other branches of conservation in the Forest, notably snakes, that incidentally requires partnership with the Forestry Commission. But it also has fingers elsewhere, such as actions against the Northern Arc development.

Friends of the Boar is excited that so much varied interest is now upon this fantastic animal and the Forest of Dean. The Forest now has nationwide if not worldwide attention thanks in large part to the promotion of this animal by Friends of the Boar, and this in itself is lending support for tourism here. Why would Hogwatch want to kill off this animal for the sake of lawned grass and a totally unsubstantiated view upon boar population?

Friends of the Boar, unlike the other groups remains focused, researching all wild boar facts and promoting welfare without the frivolity and entertainment value of Facebook or an interest in selling merchandise. It is hands-on and open to debate. It wants to see wild boar in the UK with legal protection like other game animals. It resents the current pro-hunting anti-boar propaganda, and argues against any hunting without scientific justification (as the Forestry Commission currently do). It views the Forest as a wild place and an ecosystem fit for both animals and humans.

If you feel you want to lend your support or just have a go at me, please drop me an e-mail which you can find through the website.