THE Forestry Commission has confirmed that it is on target to cull 575 wild boar this season.

Kevin Stannard, deputy surveyor for the Forestry Commission, told members of the Forest of Dean strategic overview and scrutiny committee that marksmen have shot more boar this season compared with the total culled during the previous year.

Mr Stannard stated that with the aid of additional rangers they would meet their target.

Every spring a thermal imaging survey is carried out in the Forest of Dean to establish the feral wild boar’s population. The current population is estimated to be 1,018.

Mr Stannard said: “The cull of 575 feral boar is the number which has been calculated for us to test the population modelling calculation.

"If the forthcoming survey indicates we have around 1,000 feral wild boar, we are on target, but if the survey results are less then our figures will have to be revised."

Mr Stannard also stressed that the Forestry Commission was only responsible for the boar on Crown land and warned: "As soon as these wild animals have moved off Crown land, it’s the responsibility of the landowner.

"I’m sorry, but the fact of the matter is that it’s not our responsibility.”