Wild boar shot dead at primary school

A wild boar was shot dead at a primary school today after it was considered a threat to staff and children.

The adult male had been spotted at Ruardean CofE Primary, in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, on and off since Saturday.

This morning, the boar entered the school's fenced off conservation area, prompting staff to contact the Forestry Commission.

A ranger attended the site to assess the situation and the creature became aggressive, stomping its feet and charging.

Concerned for the children's safety, the ranger destroyed the animal.

Staff at the school said the alarmed children, aged four to 11-years-old, were taken inside before the animal was put down. An assembly was held this afternoon to explain why the animal had to be shot.

Headteacher Peter Knight said: "A boar had been visiting the school on and off since Saturday, but had not wandered near the children or any staff members.

"Some of the children noticed a boar wandering into our fenced off conservation area on Tuesday, but it had no contact with anyone at the school.

"This morning a young male adult boar appeared as parents were dropping off their children.

"The school took the decision to call the Forestry Commission for advice ands to ensure the safety of the pupils, parents and staff.

"A ranger attended the school to assess the situation. Unfortunately the boar became aggressive and began stomping and charging at the ranger.

"The children were taken inside and parents were diverted away, then the ranger took the difficult decision to destroy the animal.

"No child was present when the animal was destroyed and we will be holding a special assembly this afternoon to explain to all the children what happened.

"We did try to avoid this situation, but the safety of our pupils, staff and parents has to be priority."

A spokesman for the Forestry Commission (FC) in the Forest of Dean said they were waiting for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to formulate a policy on dealing with the animals.

He said: "It's been nearly two years since they completed a survey and promised a policy on dealing with the animals.

"The survey showed that something like 40% of people would prefer the animals to be managed, rather than culled.

"These sort of incidents are exactly why we want something done - we're quite scared a child will be hurt."

The FC spokesman said this was not as rare an incident as some people may believe.

He said: "We actually found a domestic dog ripped apart in the forest and we've had a number of incidents of them charging at dogwalkers and people on horseback.

"They're not cuddly animals, they're large and quite dangerous.

"It was actually within the school grounds and children were just arriving so the ranger thought it was an emergency situation.

"It was felt the children were at risk and a decision was taken to destroy the animal."

Mark Harper, Forest of Dean MP, has pushed Defra to publish its policy on dealing with wild boar.

He said: "The tragedy is that the situation has been allowed to develop to this stage.

"It would be much better if the Government would get a grip and finally publish their strategy for managing the wild boar population.

"They finished the consultation two years ago and I have been pressing them since May last year to make up their mind.

"But still they dither and delay. Hopefully, this incident will force the Government's hand."

The Government is preparing to announce a "wild boar action plan", a Defra spokesman revealed.

He said: "The Government takes the management of wild boar seriously.

"Current feral wild boar populations are small, and landowners can already control wild boar on their property if they feel it is necessary.

"We will shortly be announcing our first feral wild boar action plan."