Sightings of 'wild boar' sparks farmers' search near Tourgis

SEVERAL sightings have been reported of a dark-coloured pig on the loose in the Tourgis area of Alderney.

At least two have been made in the last three weeks, one near Rose Farm and another near the road up to Tourgis. Alderney police confirmed that they have been contacted.

Farmers are currently trying to catch the animal using food as a lure.

Where exactly the pig – described as having the appearance of a black wild boar – has sprung from remains a mystery.

Alan Woodnutt, who runs the largest pig farm in Alderney, confirmed that none of his are missing. His free-range animals, traditional breed Old Sandy and Blacks, kept on the Giffoine, differ from the description of the animal at large and are tagged. They are counted every evening. But he has seen marks on the fence of a field home to a sow currently on heat, which could be indicative of a boar trying to get in.

The only other known pig farm was at Whitegates. About 18 months ago a couple introduced a litter to their smallholding there. But none of those pigs are known to have gone missing recently either, although there were reports of a piglet that escaped around a year ago.

One favourable habitat for a pig living wild could be La Bonne Terre, where there is fresh water and undergrowth. It is also not far from Tourgis.

Experienced pig farmer Mr Woodnutt advised people not to approach the animal if they saw it. Boars could be aggressive if they felt cornered or threatened, he said, especially if the animal had been living wild, as this one seems to have been.

He said: 'Boars have a very sharp tusk and if anyone encounters this animal he or she should employ a high degree of caution.'

* Alderney police asked the public not to attempt to approach the animal if they saw it as that could help thwart attempts to catch it. They have asked the public to report any sightings of it to them on 824999.