Animal activists say Stourhead cull is misguided, with only one recent boar injury in the UK

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Six animal rights groups have strongly criticised plans by the National Trust to cull wild boar on one of its most renowned estates as “misguided and immoral”.

The groups, which include Animal Aid and Born Free, have written to the chair of the National Trust, Tim Parker, asking him to halt the cull at Stourhead in Wiltshire.

They say the trust’s argument – that the boar needed to be removed because people felt intimidated by them – is absurd, pointing out they had found only one recent example of a person in the UK being actually injured by a boar.

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The letter, seen by the Guardian, said: “We feel that the cull is misguided and immoral, and goes against many of the purposes of the National Trust.

“To wipe out sentient beings because they apparently make a few feel uncomfortable is absurd. Wild boar are notoriously shy, making it difficult for even wildlife photographers to capture photos of them in the UK.

“They avidly avoid humans, and attacks in the UK are extremely rare. In fact, we have only been able to find a single report in the media about an injury caused by a wild boar in recent times. Such drastic action from the National Trust would suggest that there have been dozens of attacks, but the fact remains that confrontations are an extreme rarity.”

The injury they referred to was that suffered by Clive Lilley, who reported that the tip of his finger was bitten off by a boar in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire.

The letter adds: “We call on the National Trust to end its plans for a boar cull, and instead redirect the funds that would be used on tragically bringing a premature end to the lives of these rare creatures, into educating both the public, and the National Trust’s own staff about wild boar, understanding their behaviour and how to properly and safely interact with them.”

The other groups that have signed the letter are: Humane Society International UK, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and Viva!

Jade Emery, a wildlife campaigner for Animal Aid, said: “The last thing the rare wild boar needs is to be persecuted and demonised by a body that has previously vowed to try and help wildlife on its land.”

Claire Bass, the executive director of Humane Society International UK, said: “As a National Trust member I’m extremely disappointed that they’re looking for a solution to a perceived wildlife problem down the barrel of a gun.”

Mark Jones, the head of policy at Born Free and also a trust member, said: “The trust cannot go killing wild animals just because they are regarded by some as an inconvenience.”

A spokesperson for the National Trust said: “The decision is one that has not been taken lightly. Unfortunately, there are some instances where humane control is necessary – for instance where there are safety concerns for visitors, staff or volunteers; or to protect other species or habitats.

“In this instance, there have been several reports of members of the public being confronted and intimidated by wild boar, which we believe have been illegally released near the estate.

“We made this decision after carefully considering all alternatives and consulting with Natural England.

“Any cull will be carried out by an experienced and licensed marksman who conforms to National Trust standards of safety and animal welfare.”