There are approximately 100,000 wild pigs in Sweden today and the experts predict that the number will grow to 500,000 within five years. It feels like Svångemåla is one of the hardest hit areas since you cannot walk very far in any direction without seeing where they have been digging for food. So far, they have only once ventured into my plot but they are coming closer and closer and my neighbor have had large parts of his garden re-shaped by the vandals. You might remember my fight with a badger but I must admit that compared to the pigs, it was nothing.
Unfortunately, it is very difficult to take photos of the pigs since they are extremely shy, mostly move around in the night and have very good ears and noses. The best way to spot one, as is often the case when you are looking for animals, is to drive around and I will do that to be able to maybe spot one without hitting it. Collision between cars and pigs is, however, a growing problem and, considering the size of a full grown pig, I do not look forward to that sort of meeting.
Bear - never mind taking a picture. Can't you trap one, take it to an abattoir, and the smoke it form some nice, organic pork? Yummm....
ReplyDeleteGood idea! But one step at the time. They are really all around my house and it strange that I have never seen one. You can buy smoked wild pig pork in a shop not far away and it tastes good. Not as tender as normal pig pork but still very good. The hunters are not very successful with their guns so a trap might be a better way of getting some pork :) will suggest it to them when I see them next.
ReplyDeleteYes, you should suggest it. Or better yet, as a business idea, sell them.
ReplyDeleteFor a preview of what trapping might look like, see Gordon Ramsey's show "F word" season 4 episode 6 (episode description - http://www.locatetv.com/tv/gordon-ramsays-f-word/season-4/5194878).
Don't know if wild pigs are as angry as wild boar, but trapping seems to be the only way to go. Good luck. Save some for us!
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ReplyDeletehave just found out that traps for wild pigs are not yet allowed in Sweden! As a teenager, I used traps to catch minks but that is not the same... I think a wild boar is the same as a wild pig. More or less. My neighbor had to go out the other night to chase away a huge family of pigs and his wife is now threatening to move from Svångemåla if the hunters do not get serious and cut down the number of pigs drastically.
ReplyDeleteBear - just imagine fresh wild boar filet with a white wine and wild chanterelle reduction over top... I am going to ask if we can move to Svångemåla! :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome! Your brilliant idea re roasted pig made me think of Astrix. http://ezinearticles.com/?Hog-Roast-Catering-in-Bristol---Where,-How-and-What-Sort-of-Fuel?&id=2515249
ReplyDeleteYes, if your neighbor and his wife would like to consider a swap, we would happily move to Svångemåla -- perhaps you can ask them if they'd like to live in a lovely studio apartment in Manhattan? The only wild pigs around here are the ones that hang out in the bars on Second Avenue!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea Zahra! I will tell them next time I see them. Don't be too optimistic thou since I am not sure Central Park can really compete with Svångemåla :)
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