Wild boar sightings are becoming increasingly common throughout the world. You probably know that these creatures have a reputation for being dangerous, so you want to be prepared in case you ever encounter one. Keep reading! In this article, we’ll talk about what to do if you see a wild boar, as well as what to do if the boar decides to attack.
What You'll Learn Today
What Should You Do if You See a Wild Boar?
Wild boar encounters are becoming more common as habitat loss pushes them more and more into residential areas. Additionally, hunters and hikers are especially likely to come in contact with these animals when they enter their natural habitats.
So, what should you do if you see (or hear) a wild boar? Let’s take a closer look.
Assess Your Options
If you spot a boar that is some distance away and not behaving aggressively, stay calm and try to evaluate the situation.
You have a couple of options: continue along your current path and hope the boar ignores you, or go another way altogether.
If your current path won’t take you very close to the boar, then there is no need to reroute. Keep your eyes open, though, and proceed with caution to make sure the boar doesn’t become alarmed by your presence.
If you have any doubt about continuing along your current path, then it’s best to turn around and leave the area. As long as you give a wild boar plenty of distance, it will most likely do the same for you.
Avoid Feeding Them
Surprisingly, many people will attempt to offer food to wild boars. This is a very bad idea, as it can provoke aggression in the boar, particularly if it is very hungry.
What’s more, offering food would require you to get extremely close to the boar. These animals rarely attack humans, but they are unpredictable and can cause serious injury and death if they do decide to attack.
Again, your best bet is to give them plenty of space. Do not approach them or entice them to approach you by offering food.
Avoid Provoking Them
Boars tend to be docile creatures, but they can turn into aggressive monsters if they feel threatened or cornered. Whatever you do, you want to avoid provoking this response.
If you have a dog with you, try to keep it calm and discourage it from barking. Barking dogs can provoke an aggressive response from boars, who may then attempt to gore your pet or you if it feels you are a threat.
If the boar is a safe distance away and you want to take pictures, make sure the flash is disabled on your camera. The sudden burst of light can confuse and frighten wild boars, prompting them to attack.
If you see one or more boars with piglets, give them extra space. Mothers with young are especially protective and may react aggressively if they fear their piglets are in danger.
Again, whatever you do, endeavor to keep your distance!
Leave the Area
If the boar has spotted you or you have any sense that you are too close, leave the area immediately. Do not run, as this may prompt the boar to attack; instead, back away slowly, keeping your eyes on the boar until you are out of immediate danger.
What to Do if a Wild Boar is Chasing You?
Sometimes, you may not see the wild boar until it is too late, or it may be already showing signs of aggression and you just happened to get caught in its path. Whatever the reason, if you find yourself being chased by an angry boar, here’s what to do:
Avoid Running
Wild boars can run as fast as 25 to 30 miles per hour, faster than some of the fastest humans in the world. In other words, chances are, you’re not going to outrun a charging boar.
What’s more, running away can trigger the beast’s hunting instinct, prompting it to focus on you and start chasing you with more intent.
Even though every one of your own instincts may be screaming at you to run, do not give into them. Remain calm, keep your eyes on the boar at all times, and attempt to back steadily away as the beast approaches.
Sometimes, they will lose interest and stop approaching before they’ve reached you.
Climb a Tree
Wild boars have been known to climb over fences as tall as five feet, but their short, stubby legs prevent them from getting much higher than this. So, if you’re being chased by a boar, your best chance to avoid an attack is to climb something.
If there is a tree nearby, climb the tree. Alternatively, you can scramble up on top of the nearest car, boulder, fence, or building.
Whatever you can reach quickly and climb easily you may be able to use as a way of escaping a wild boar.
Defend Yourself
If there is nothing for you to climb and the boar continues to charge, it may be necessary to turn and fight.
Use whatever you have available: a walking stick, a gun, a knife, rocks, camping gear. You can use these objects as a shield or a weapon in an effort to keep the charging beast from coming in contact with you.
Don’t be afraid to defend yourself, and don’t hesitate in the methods you use. At this point, fighting back is your best chance to escape the encounter as unscathed as possible.
How to Survive a Wild Boar Attack
If the worst-case scenario happens and the boar makes physical contact with you, do your best to remain calm. There are a few things you can do to survive the attack and prevent it from escalating.
Stay on Your Feet
When you’re on your feet, the boar may break leg bones or cause pretty serious lacerations; but if you fall to the ground, it may cause serious injuries to more vital areas of your body such as your abdomen, head, or neck.
Once the boar has you down, you may have a hard time getting back up, especially if you sustain these more serious injuries.
So, if at all possible, stay on your feet throughout the fight. If the boar does knock you down, roll to the side and get back to your feet as quickly as you can.
Sidestep the Boar
Being light and nimble on your feet may save you in a wild boar attack.
The beasts are fast, but they aren’t particularly agile. If you can sidestep around the boar as it charges, you may be able to avoid coming in contact with it in the first place.
The more times you can sidestep the beast, the better your chances of surviving the encounter with fewer injuries.
Keep Fighting
Whatever happens, don’t give up. Keep fighting back against the boar even if you are growing tired or weak from injuries.
Most wild boar attacks last for a minute or less. The harder you fight back, the more likely it is that the boar will retreat sooner.
As a result, you may be able to escape with fewer injuries.
Seek Medical Attention
Boars are strong and heavy, and their sharp tusks can inflict devastating wounds. What’s more, they can spread various diseases such as hepatitis and tuberculosis.
As soon as a boar attack has ended, evaluate your injuries. Apply first aid measures to stop any severe bleeding, then get to a hospital in order to receive proper treatment.
Even if you weren’t seriously injured, it’s a good idea to seek medical attention to prevent wounds from becoming infected and, possibly, to receive immunization against the possibility of disease.
Check out this video to learn more about surviving a wild boar attack:
Conclusion
Wild boars don’t attack often, but if they do, they can be devastating and even deadly. If you see a wild boar, keep your distance and give it plenty of space. If it approaches you, try to climb out of its reach; if you can’t do that, stay calm and use whatever means you can to fight back until the attack has ended.
