A captivating video has emerged showing a wild boar indulging in a mud bath in the Forest of Dean, an area often dubbed the UK’s wild boar capital. The footage was recorded on a trail camera by Gloucester-based wildlife photographer Zbigniew Waćkowski, 49, who has become deeply connected to this unique forest.
The video highlights a feral pig enjoying a natural mud bath, showcasing the thriving boar population in the region. Over recent years, the Forest of Dean has witnessed a significant rise in wild boar numbers—an increase that has not gone unnoticed by locals. Some encounters have been serious, including a man reportedly losing a finger following an altercation with a boar.
These wild pigs have grown notably bold, with some incidents involving attacks on pets and confrontations with dog walkers. They have even adapted their behavior to urban life, learning bin collection schedules to scavenge for food.
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Zbigniew, who first discovered the Forest of Dean four years ago, shared his enthusiasm: “I completely fell in love with this place. Since then, I spend almost every free weekend in the forest. Being out there makes me feel young again.”
His interest in wildlife was piqued by the animal tracks and signs he discovered during his walks. He enjoys capturing these moments with trail cameras, explaining, “Watching animals in their natural habitat, acting naturally when no one’s around, is genuinely fascinating.”
Wild boars were once hunted to extinction in the UK around 700 years ago but made a comeback in the Forest of Dean during the 1990s. These resilient creatures are covered in coarse hair, varying in color from dark brown and black to reddish brown, embodying both the wildness and mystery of this iconic forest.