YES! FERAL HOGS ARE EXTEMELY DANGEROUS!
Do not feed them or approach them. If Feral Hogs are around, homeowners should be careful with their pets, especially dogs on a leash.
Hogs may decide to attack them.
We have been working with these hogs for several years and have earned their trust. We also know which pigs we can trust and which ones are the most dangerous. Like other researchers working with wild animals, we understand their personalities and actions.
We always provide a clear pathway for our escape and one for the animals.
We never get between the young and the adult pigs.
We watch their stress levels and act accordingly.
Although we tell stories about the pigs, as if they were family members, we ensure they know we are humans and a key predator of their species. We do, however, have a very close relationship built on trust.
Pigs are one of the smartest animals on the planet after the great apes, whales, dolphins, and orcas. They can recognize that we are humans they can trust and our facility is a relatively safe area. They interact with other humans almost daily and continue to show fear and a desire to not be near a human. They are able to compartmentalize our working relationship from the rest of their lives. This is critical to our work and the environment around us. Although we have no issue with a 400 pound boar hog napping in our back yard, our neighbors would be obviously concerned. We work hard in the actions we take to ensure the pigs do not think that all humans are offering food or treats.
We also never touch the pigs. We may offer a pig with a gentle personality a treat from our hand, and they take it so gently, but we do not pet the pigs, scratch them or touch them in any way. If they accidentally touch our skin, they will recoil in fear and move away.
They are not pets. They are dangerous wild animals and are subject to mood changes, fear, fight or flight. We keep it that way.
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