News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

wild-boar-main_article_image.jpg
Creative Commons / Sam Romilly
UK News

Wild boars desecrate graveyard in Gloucestershire

The feral animals have been causing havoc in the town in Gloucestershire for a number of years as they become more confident in venturing outside the forest in search of food.

According Rev Mike Barnsley, parish priest at St John the Evangelist Church, the animals now regularly wander into the church graveyard and cause damage to graves.

He told the Forest newspaper: "It is very distressing for families but so far nothing we have done has managed to keep them out.

"We try to keep the gates closed at all times and we ask visitors to close the gates after them, but the boar always seems to manage to get in.

"We have contacted the council and the Forestry Commission, but it appears they don't want to know. We just don't know what the solution is."

The Forestry Commission have advised locals to install boar-proof fencing, recommending electric fences and barbed wire.

But local Councillor Tim Gwilliam said that the Forestry Commision needs to take more responsibility for the animals.

He told the Daily Mail: "It's just not good enough. While old people are forced to watch the graves of their loved ones being dug up by the boar, they are busy setting up another workshop to talk about [it].

"They don't want to know because opinion is so divided. It's very difficult bringing people with such extreme views together, but that doesn't mean they can just wash their hands of it."

The Forestry Commission reported that 1,562 wild boars live in the Forest of Dean. The animal became extinct in the wild in the UK almost 300 years ago but farmers illegally dumped 60 into the woodland in 2004. Since then, the breeding population has been thriving.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate