ISSUE NO. 1606
14 - 20 April 2016
COSTA BLANCA SOUTH
YOUR PAPER, YOUR VOICE, YOUR OPINION
Ballad of the boar who came for tea WILD boar debut shows threat to Costa Blanca’s environment By Matthew Elliott Swaggering nonchalantly into Alicante, a wild boar eluded capture by a dedicated nature and wildlife unit for more than one hour, leaving a bumbling trail of dazed and confused humans in its wake. It was an almost comedic moment of madness and stands out for its wonderful juxtaposition of the past and present, modernity and a defiant nature. The nameless beast hurt nobody in its adventurous quest for food and water, but police specialists were keen to warn local residents across the Costa Blanca of the quite serious potential danger posed by the creatures, which can reach a hefty 70 kilograms and unexpectedly turn aggressive. Although a seemingly innocuous tale, the April 7 incursion into a sprawling chaotic city (from a wild boar perspective), is a rare occurrence which is becoming more and more frequent due to a variety of en-
vironmental developments. A lack of rainfall has essentially led to conditions of drought throughout the region, which has in turn prompted wild animals to not only seek water, but also escape the destruction of their natural habitat. Iconic places of retreat like the famous Guadalest Valley, which offers magnificent views
across the entire Costa Blanca, are only a drive away from key towns including Torrevieja and Orihuela. They are home to some of Spain’s most magnificent wildlife, including wild boars, but for those animals caught between the wild and human settlements, life can be very dangerous. Millions of boars, rabbits and
Iberian squirrels are killed each year on Spain’s roads, as even the Costa Blanca’s rural bliss becomes more urbanised. Perhaps for the sake of agriculture, beautiful views and all that makes the Costa Blanca great, yes including golf, property prices, and wild boars, it is time to take far better care of our wonderful environment.
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