The Good and the Bad

Two bits of news, good and bad.....

Firstly... As some of you will know I was supposed to be filming for Countryfile this coming Tuesday. The focus was to be concentrated on the wild boar. They are still filming, but unfortunately they will not be using me!

I received a nice email from the producer explaining that they will now be interviewing a member of the Forestry Commission. She did however, make it clear that the Forestry Commission had not bullied them into this decision?!?!?!?!?!?!? Oops got carried away there with the question marks and exclamation marks!

On a more positive note, they will also be interviewing Dr. Martin Goulding. If you have not heard of him, Mr. Goulding specialises in wild boar and his contribution will be factual based.

Secondly... I did manage to get a slot on the radio this morning, talking about the Forest of Dean, my photography and what it takes to get a decent photograph. I have added some pics to spice it up a bit.

Rob

Lord of the Flies!

I have not posted any pics for a while, so there will be a few at the end of this post.

First of all, BBC Radio Gloucestershire will be broadcasting a series next week about "going undercover" and they kindly asked me to contribute.

Going undercover can be represented in lots of ways, from detective work, to tracking and finding wildlife. That's my bit!

I have already recorded my segment and will let you know when it is on. I will also post a direct link.

Look out for it, it will be very interesting.

Here are some pics...

Now we all know that wildlife is not always cute and cuddly. The following pics show just that.

Even though they are hairy and ugly, they are still fascinating!

If you have made it past the flies, here is a cute Dunnock for you!

Rob

BBC Radio Glos Feature - Wild Boar

Wild Boar.

Below is a link to my radio interview with BBC Radio Gloucestershire, which went out earlier today.

Firstly, there are a few points I would like to make as there is always a lot of editing involved if you are not live and not everything comes over as said, or as it is meant to be perceived...

1. In my interview, I mentioned that the Forestry Commission has a hard job and that I respect them as they do a fantastic job managing our forest and our deer. I also said that I would support the same policy for wild boar management. This was not aired!
2. The road verges do not repair themselves overnight, nor do they repair themselves when the ground is frozen. The majority of road verges have been clean for quite some time, this means that there has been a decrease in boar activity.
3. Click this link to a "This is Gloucestershire" story from the 3rd January 2010, where a Forestry Ranger confirmed a wild boar cull. Something, which is now being denied. This is why we mentioned the "legal" Forestry cull. http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/gloucestershireheadlines/Wild-boar-culled/article-1667370-detail/article.html
4. My "ONLY" reason for helping to form "Friends of the Wild Boar" is to help this species get the protection in needs and deserves in the UK. I am not looking for recognition and I am certainly not looking for financial gain. The Llama Trekking is Mr Fraser's business and has nothing to do with me or "Friends of the Wild Boar" and it should not have been mentioned.

I have no interest in any business venture whatsoever where the wild boar, or captive animals are concerned and I will never highlight a wild boar location to the public, unless I am 100% sure that it has moved on from the area. This animal needs to be left alone!

I think about our wildlife 100%, not myself and not anyone else. This creature needs a voice and I am going to give it one.

Mr Guest said that our comments were just scaremongering. Well Mr Guest I can assure you that the only scaremongering going on is all the lies and false gossip, which is and has been doing the rounds since the boar arrived in the Dean. Perhaps a statement from you in the local press giving the public the "FACTS" would help. Or would you like me to do it?

The vast majority of people in the UK watch wildlife documentaries on the TV and comment on how people in foreign countries should work harder to learn to live with their wildlife, which are viewed as dangerous by most. Then along comes a wild boar in the UK and they are too scared to walk out of their front door! Practice what you preach!

I am not doing this to make friends or enemies, I am doing this to help a controversial creature survive.

1st part (skip to - 1h 15min 27sec) 2nd part (skip to - 2h 36min 04sec)http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0065c3g/Mark_Cummings_03_02_2010/

Rob