WILD boar numbers in the Forest of Dean have nearly doubled since 2013 despite an increase in the number culled, according to figures released by the Forestry Commission.

Kevin Stannard, Deputy Surveyor for the Forest of Dean told members of the District Council’s scrutiny committee that the results of an annual thermal imaging survey carried out between February 23 and April 15, had been analysed and estimated the population of wild feral boar is now more than 1,000 animals.

The survey results suggest both an increase in overall population, an increase in distribution of boar, and an increase in population density in the core forest areas.

The overall population has increased from an estimated 535 animals in spring 2013, to 819 in spring 2014 to the 1,018 mark in spring 2015, despite culls of 135 animals in 2013/14 and 361 in 2014/15.

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