|
THE wild boar, favourite target of ancient hunting parties in primeval forests, is prowling Madrid's luxury northern suburbs, to the increasing annoyance of prosperous locals. The boar has come down from the mountains northwest of the Spanish capital to roam the leafy avenues of Madrid's high-end suburb of Las Rozas. David and Victoria Beckham and other Real Madrid footballers have their luxury homes nearby, just a short Audi spurt from the club's new outof-town training ground.
The Beckhams can't have reckoned on heavy (up to 70kg), snuffling wild boars becoming near neighbours.
But sus scrofa has become a regular visitor to Las Rozas' private estates and swimming pools.
The species has no natural predators, and adapts swiftly to new habitats. One proposal is to erect barbed-wire fences, but greens and hunters alike oppose that idea.
There are other remedies.
Wild boars' nostrils are as sensitive as those of Victoria Beckham, who notoriously complained that Spain "smelt of garlic". In Catalonia they sprinkle the boar's territory with a pungent moth repellent to put it off.
Another possible deterrent is to use loud music to dissuade the wild boars . . . who also have sensitive ears.
|
YOU ARE HERE: 19 March 2007 / tribune.ie / 2006 / 11 / 26
Terms & Conditions 
