Drequest for regularization, administrative seizure then return of the animal to its “surrogate mother”, by decision of the prefect of Lot-et-Garonne. The scale of the mobilization and the petition had their weight. The Woody affair, which found an epilogue that was surprising to say the least in February 2023 – it was the French Biodiversity Office (OFB) which came to rescue Véronique Consolo, overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the young male – reminds us in many ways points that of Rillette. The case takes place this time in Aube where, this Monday, January 13, the fate of this young “domesticated” sow, according to the one who took her in as a baby, was studied by the administrative court of Châlons-en-Champagne.
Woody's former “mom” “obviously” follows the evolution of this wild pig story but not too much. “It touches me, obviously. I signed the petition. It saddens me, I sympathize. » Looking back, however, she assures him: “I don't regret anything but I wouldn't do it again. My heart goes out to her but you have to think twice. This is an illegal situation. We know we take risks. And are we doing their good when we make this decision? »
The pitfall of time
Time is a pitfall in this type of affair, believes Lot-et-Garonnaise: “The longer we wait, the more difficult it is to find them a place in a suitable center. » She couldn't do it. Without the decisive help of the OFB, would Woody still be alive today?
“The parks to accommodate them, which are not for hunting, are not very numerous”
Because it is. The young male found refuge in an animal park. His director, who values his discretion, provides news: “He is still alive, yes, but he had a lot of difficulty integrating. It's still difficult…” He lives with 14 other wild boars, who have lived together for a long time in three large parks. “At first, he wanted to act smart but he wasn't up to it…” Almost two years after his arrival, in fact, he hasn't really gained weight. Stress probably.
Anthropomorphism
The professional is also following the Rillette case. “It’s a little different. There, its owner does not seem overwhelmed by the events. But it’s still a wild boar,” insists the specialist. Certainly, the fact that it is a sow would make things easier because “they are less likely to raise their heads and they have much less pronounced defenses, so it is less dangerous”. However, he does not hope for a favor from justice: “It would be a real problem. The parks to accommodate them, which are not for hunting, are not very numerous. »
The State sometimes calls on him for similar cases “but most are euthanized”. In his enclosures, an uncastrated male rescued at the age of 6 and a half from a private individual at the request of a prefecture is giving him a lot of trouble. “If I put him with the others, he’ll get taken down. I welcome the public to the park, I cannot afford to inflict this spectacle on them. People do a lot of anthropomorphism. I understand it and understand it. Small, it's cute. But their place is in nature. »
