THE second group of animal-lovers to make their presence felt in Coleford this week gathered by the Clock Tower on Tuesday.

The placard waving protestors were calling for an end to the shooting of Forest wild boar by the Forestry Commission.

The protest was organised by environment action group Viva! and Friends of the Boar, to highlight what they say is a danger that the shooting quota is so high that it threatens to completely eradicate the animals in the area once again.

The animals were indigenous to the Forest until they were hunted to extinction during the late Middle Ages.

The protestors claim that the over-hunting of the boar, coupled to a rise in poaching, may result in boar numbers being reduced to the point where they could not regenerate their herds.

In a joint statement the protesters said: "Encouraged by the trade in so-called exotic meats, poaching is on the rise. This illegal trade in boar meat also makes it impossible to ascertain a true population count throughout the area."

And on the subject of public safety from potential attacks from boar they added: "One local councillor said that residents were more in danger of stray bullets then they were of the boar themselves.

"Despite hysterical reports that they are breeding out of control, the fact remains that it is a rare sight to actually see boar in the Forest at all.

"In 2011 there was real concern that so many boar had been shot that they could have been made extinct in the area. As with all of nature, it will find a balance if left to do so."