Extra rangers hired to help cull more than 1,000 wild boar in the Forest of Dean

Official figures show that in the last ten annual culls, 2,500 animals have been wiped out Credit:

Extra gunmen have been hired to help cull more than 1,000 wild boar in the forest of Dean.

The Forestry Commission says the population of boar needs to be brought down from 1,600 to nearer 400, this is to ensure they stay within the agreed limits.

They have decided to add an extra two wildlife rangers involved in the annual cull to help control the numbers of boar in the forest.

This news has upset animal activists who claim that culling the boar simply drives them into nearby towns and villages.

Official figures show that in the last ten annual culls, 2,500 animals have been wiped out.

Despite this, the population of boar has continued to rise in the Forest of Dean.

Experts say the boar will continue to bread

Experts say the boar will continue to bread because there is enough food to sustain 10,000 animals.

Many local people have called for the culls to be stepped up because of the damage the animals cause by grubbing up grass, particularly in sporting and recreational areas and sensitive areas like graveyards.