Wild boar kills Princess Anne’s prized pig

A PRIZED pig owned by the Princess Royal was killed by a wild boar that got into its pen.

The attack happened a day after a boar caused a crash which killed a man on the M4, not far from Annes home. Picture: TSPL

The attack happened a day after a boar caused a crash which killed a man on the M4, not far from Anne’s home.

CONNECT WITH THE SCOTSMAN

• Subscribe to our daily newsletter (requires registration) and get the latest news, sport and business headlines delivered to your inbox every morning

• You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google +

She told the Oxford Farming Conference that her Gloucestershire Old Spot boar was killed on Tuesday night, according to the Western Morning News.

She told delegates: “We had a visit last night on our farm from a wild boar. My Gloucester Old Spot boar is no longer with us as a result.”

The Princess Royal is a keen farmer and is patron of the Gloucester Old Spot Pigs Breeders Club - an organisation dedicated to promoting the rare English breed of pig which is known for its docility and intelligence.

She has kept the pigs for a number of years at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire.

Raymond Green, 47, of Royal Wootton Bassett, was killed after crashing into a boar on the motorway on Monday night.

• Scotland’s wild boars killing lambs, claim gamekeepers

He was driving his Seat Ibiza on the M4 between Chippenham and Swindon in Wiltshire at 6.40pm when he collided with the wild pig before being hit by a white Renault articulated lorry.

Mr Green was pronounced dead at the scene while the driver of the Renault lorry received treatment for minor shoulder injuries.

Police Sergeant Steven Love said of the crash: “This is a truly tragic incident and my thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim.

“It is quite rare for a wild boar to be on the carriageway of the motorway.

“It is more common for the police to receive calls involving horses or deer but each is equally dangerous to motorists.

“This was a particularly large wild animal and would have caused considerable damage to any vehicle.”

SCOTSMAN TABLET AND IPHONE APPS

• Download your free 30-day trial for our iPad, Android and Kindle apps

• Keep up to date with all aspects of Scottish life with The Scotsman iPhone app, completely free to download and use