Pannage stupidity

monkey · #1 (**permalink**) 19-09-2010, 10:04 AM

Yesterday we went out in the New Forest and the pigs have been released early as part of the pannage season the traditional practice to allow the pigs to eat the green acorns and beech mast which are plentiful this year. This stops the ponies and cattle eating the acorns and getting ill and even dying.

We pulled right off the busy road and parked and then walked to take some photos. We could not believe the couple in this Audi who pulled up not only in front of us taking photos, which was bad enough

but more stupidly they encouraged the pigs to the car offering them food and then when they went the pigs were so close to the traffic which travels too fast anyway! They pulled up on a very busy road causing problems with the traffic on brow of a hill with animals around as well! Also the whole idea is the pigs eat the acorns etc not hand held human food!
All the ponies and animals in the New Forest roam free and are at risk with the traffic but surely common sense would be not to encourage them onto the roads!

Linda

Moonmoth · #2 (**permalink**) 19-09-2010, 10:13 AM

I agree totally, it's just the same as people feeding wild monkeys and then complaining when they bite their children . If the pigs think that they can get an "easy meal " they will . It is completely irresponsible behavior which puts both the pigs and humans in danger .

Ukwildlifeo · #3 (**permalink**) 19-09-2010, 10:18 AM

Most Audi drivers in my experience have no common sense or concern for the safety of anything, judging on how fast and close they drive to you on the A13/M25!

In fact when I was down in the New forest last year someone came wizzing past us at at least 60mph along the Lydhurst Road - I bet I don't have to tell you what make of car he was driving!

Ive seen people walking todlers up to Ponies in the Forest to stroke them and saw a group of kids surround one while the adults were busy drinking and chatting at Ashurst Campsite - thankfully the ponies there seem quite tame.

vole-woman · #4 (**permalink**) 20-09-2010, 03:25 PM

This isn't malicious behaviour. The people in the car were silly and not thinking, and the right message needs to be got across to the general public - a news slot on local radio or tv? Leafleting in local car parks? Simple road signs? Perhaps the local WT could get involved.

It's easy to get things wrong because you're not thinking. I've just come back from a really frustrating walk with my husband who's in a wheelchair, and we spent half the time having to veer out into the road because of cars parking on the pavement. But to be strictly honest, I think I've occasionally parked on pavements myself in the past (thinking to provide better access on the road) and it's never occurred to me to factor in wheelchair users. I would have if someone had reminded me. Feel ashamed of myself now.

Ukwildlifeo · #5 (**permalink**) 20-09-2010, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vole-woman

This isn't malicious behaviour. The people in the car were silly and not thinking, and the right message needs to be got across to the general public - a news slot on local radio or tv? Leafleting in local car parks? Simple road signs? Perhaps the local WT could get involved.

I know what your saying but there are signs everywhere you go in the New forest: public loos, campsites, tourist centres, pubs etc and leaflets too, all saying don't feed (or try to stroke) the ponies, cows and pigs. They even say it attracts them to roads/car parks and the dangers this poses. It also mentions the health problems feeding the wrong food can cause.