Happy Fursday, Missians!
In today's topic, we're revisiting a subject we first touched on, on the Missy Show in April of 2016. That episode was entitled, "Finding a Balance for Boars." In it, we discussed the wild boar over-population issue, and their destruction of crops and property. You can check that episode out here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/shesatortie/2016/04/24/finding-a-balance-for-boars-how-to-fix-the-wild-boar-problem
In today's post, I want to examine whether or not a solution or balance has been achieved for wild boars, (or at least if the situation has gotten any better). If I had to give an answer right now, (which is what I came here to do), I would say, no. A balance hasn't been found. These boars are still at large, and the only logical solution humans can come up with, is to kill them; but does it have to be this way? I don't so. However, I'm still at a loss for what can be done that won't cost an arm and a leg.
Speaking of costing an arm and a leg, the Polish government is going to try out the potential solution of building a fence, in an attempt to keep the rambunctious beasts out:
Okay. I've tried to take up for these guys, but it's really hard to make a case for them, when they're out here causing so much havoc. Not only are there issues in Poland and Russia, (and still in the U.S. too), but wild boars are also proving to be a problem in Japan, as well:
In today's topic, we're revisiting a subject we first touched on, on the Missy Show in April of 2016. That episode was entitled, "Finding a Balance for Boars." In it, we discussed the wild boar over-population issue, and their destruction of crops and property. You can check that episode out here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/shesatortie/2016/04/24/finding-a-balance-for-boars-how-to-fix-the-wild-boar-problem
In today's post, I want to examine whether or not a solution or balance has been achieved for wild boars, (or at least if the situation has gotten any better). If I had to give an answer right now, (which is what I came here to do), I would say, no. A balance hasn't been found. These boars are still at large, and the only logical solution humans can come up with, is to kill them; but does it have to be this way? I don't so. However, I'm still at a loss for what can be done that won't cost an arm and a leg.
Speaking of costing an arm and a leg, the Polish government is going to try out the potential solution of building a fence, in an attempt to keep the rambunctious beasts out:
The Polish government will build one of the world’s longest fences along almost the entire length of Poland’s eastern border to protect the country from disease-carrying wild boar.
Stretching for some 768 miles and following Poland’s border with Ukraine, Russia and Belarus, the galvanised steel fence will aim to stop wild boar carrying African Swine Fever from entering Poland.
Costing an estimated £50 million, construction on the fence is due to start at the end of the year, and, if all goes to plan, it should stand in the way of boars from the Baltic Sea to the Carpathian mountains by the end of 2020.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/poland-build-one-world-apos-175849652.html
The article also goes on to discuss more in depth, the disease that wild boars can carry, (though harmless to humans, can be fatal for pigs, which could affect Poland's pork industry):
Although not dangerous to humans, African Swine Fever can devastate pig populations owing to a mortality rate that can hit 100 per cent. As a consequence, it poses a series risk to Poland’s lucrative and expanding pork industry. The disease is also now endemic in the Russian Federation, and there is no vaccine against it.
The fence must be built so that we are safe,” said Robert Telus, an MP from the governing Law and Justice Party and a member of the parliamentary rural development and agriculture committee. “We have to make sure wild boars do not enter the country, and that we keep our pig breeders safe.
Okay. I've tried to take up for these guys, but it's really hard to make a case for them, when they're out here causing so much havoc. Not only are there issues in Poland and Russia, (and still in the U.S. too), but wild boars are also proving to be a problem in Japan, as well:
Less than 20 years ago, the only challenges for the 100 residents of the tiny island of Kakara, off southwest Japan, were the elements and ensuring the fishermen’s catch could get to market on time.
Today, the islanders are outnumbered three to one by wild boar who feast on their gardens and are becoming increasingly aggressive and territorial.
Not only are they destroying crops, but they're even busting in on kids at school, and charging through shopping malls:
In October, a large specimen barreled into a suburban shopping mall on the island of Shikoku, biting five staff and causing mayhem before it was captured. In December, two boars managed to get into a high school in Kyoto and panicked students had to be evacuated.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/ageing-japanese-towns-overrun-wild-163631779.html
So what can you do when the evidence is stacked against you? For now, what just occurred to me as I was typing, is that perhaps the best answer is the one that has always existed in nature since the beginning of time. It boils down to survival of the fittest. In the wild, it's animal against animal--and the strongest survives. Humans and boars both share the planet, so if they can't peacefully co-exist, one species will eventually, reign as victor. But who will it be? Us or them?
We can't act as though we're superior and they're just uncouth beasts. Humans are uncouth in their own ways. The boars are just doing what boars do. They have no sense of right or wrong. They don't care whose crops they destroy, and have no knowledge of any disease they may carry. It's all about survival for them. The battle for balance must be fought out. But what we'll find in the end, is that there truly is no balance here to be found. Someone will lose. So to the victor go the spoils--so, may the "best" creature win. Who are you betting on?
Be sure to join us Saturday at 5pm Central on Google Hangouts for, "Why You Don't Need a Pet." We'll see you then.
Until next time,
This is your host J,
signing off....
We can't act as though we're superior and they're just uncouth beasts. Humans are uncouth in their own ways. The boars are just doing what boars do. They have no sense of right or wrong. They don't care whose crops they destroy, and have no knowledge of any disease they may carry. It's all about survival for them. The battle for balance must be fought out. But what we'll find in the end, is that there truly is no balance here to be found. Someone will lose. So to the victor go the spoils--so, may the "best" creature win. Who are you betting on?
Be sure to join us Saturday at 5pm Central on Google Hangouts for, "Why You Don't Need a Pet." We'll see you then.
Until next time,
This is your host J,
signing off....
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