Wild boar became extinct in Britain in the 17th century but have recolonised through escapes from farms, establishing feral populations in the Forest of Dean and parts of Kent and East Sussex, creating welfare debates about management and coexistence.
Wild boar welfare in British populations is affected by management culling programs that must balance population control with the welfare of a highly intelligent species capable of complex social behaviour. Family group disruption through selective culling causes social stress in this cohesive species. Welfare of sows with piglets requires appropriate consideration in any culling program. The boar ecological role in forest soil disturbance has significant benefits for invertebrate communities and woodland regeneration that must be balanced against agricultural damage.