I HAVE some ques­tions regarding the Forestry Commission's policy of culling individual boar in "conflict with people" and would be grateful if a spokesperson from the Commission would clarify on the points and issues raised below. 

 The Forestry Commission have stated that two wild boars were shot and presumably killed in the Coleford area last week

How does the Commission know if the boars shot were the animals involved in the incident when Jamo, the Parson's Terrier, disturbed them, as wild boar can cover a lot of ground in just one night, let alone a week or two?

 The boars which were shot may have been new to the area, or just passing through! If the Commission does not have evidence to prove that the boars shot were the ones involved in the incident, this could be seen as unnecessary animal cruelty. It's like a snake biting a dog after being disturbed and then for the Commission to go out with a spade and whack a few just to keep the peace with the residents and walkers in that area.

This is not how it is done and it should stop now!

Wild boar piglets, or humbugs as they are sometimes referred to, are fully weaned at three-four months. How does the Commission know that the two boars shot at Coleford didn't have dependant young nearby? After all the owner of Jamo stated that Jamo disturbed a sow and piglets in bushes.

 Also, the Commission says "conflict with people!" If there are people out there who are willing to take chances with our wildlife and put themselves and their animals in harms way, then they should not blame the animal when it goes wrong.

I photograph snakes, deer and wild boar, but if I got into a scrape I would button it, as "I" would be responsible for putting myself in that situation and therefore would only have myself to blame.

Think before you condemn our wildlife, question yourself and ask if there was anyway it could have been avoided (dog on a lead, walking when it is light etc)?

It is easy to condemn the boar, but don't shout out for their eradication just because you made a mistake, you are too stubborn to change your ways, or you have chosen to ignore the advice given.   

 Common sense and a little education is all that is required to enable people to live alongside our "wild" wildlife without incident. I am not saying that the wild boar are saints, but look at other people in other countries, who live alongside poisonous dead­ly snakes, sharks, bears and crocodiles on a daily basis.

I fear the worst has already happened; we live in a right nanny state, afraid of change and would rather take the easy option to eradicate without learning from our mistakes!

People forget that the wild boar have more right to be in our forest than the fallow deer have, as the wild boar is a native species, whereas the fallow deer is not! – Rob Ward, Cinderford.