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Groundbreakers
After centuries of absence, wild boar are back in Britain. What does this mean for us – and them?
Big, messy and mysterious – crossing paths with a wild boar can conjure fear and joy in equal measure. Driven to extinction seven hundred years ago, a combination of the species’ own tenacity and illegal releases from the 1980s has seen several populations of this beast of myth begin to roam English and Scottish woods once more.
With growing worry over the impacts on both people and the countryside, the boar’s right to exist in Britain has been heavily debated. Their habitat-regenerating actions benefit a host of other wildlife, yet unlike beavers, these ecosystem engineers remain unloved by many. Why is there no clamour to reintroduce them across the land? And, with the few boar in England threatened by poaching and culling, why are we not doing more to prevent their re-extinction?
In Groundbreakers, Chantal Lyons moves to the boar’s stronghold of the Forest of Dean to get up close and personal with this complex, intelligent and quirky species, and she meets with people across Britain and beyond who celebrate their presence – or want them gone. From Toulouse and Barcelona where they are growing in number and boldness, to the woods of Kent and Sussex where they are fading away again, to Inverness-shire where rewilders welcome them, join Chantal on a journey of discovery as she reveals what it might take for us to coexist with wild boar.
Big, messy and mysterious – crossing paths with a wild boar can conjure fear and joy in equal measure. Driven to extinction seven hundred years ago, a combination of the species’ own tenacity and illegal releases from the 1980s has seen several populations of this beast of myth begin to roam English and Scottish woods once more.
With growing worry over the impacts on both people and the countryside, the boar’s right to exist in Britain has been heavily debated. Their habitat-regenerating actions benefit a host of other wildlife, yet unlike beavers, these ecosystem engineers remain unloved by many. Why is there no clamour to reintroduce them across the land? And, with the few boar in England threatened by poaching and culling, why are we not doing more to prevent their re-extinction?
In Groundbreakers, Chantal Lyons moves to the boar’s stronghold of the Forest of Dean to get up close and personal with this complex, intelligent and quirky species, and she meets with people across Britain and beyond who celebrate their presence – or want them gone. From Toulouse and Barcelona where they are growing in number and boldness, to the woods of Kent and Sussex where they are fading away again, to Inverness-shire where rewilders welcome them, join Chantal on a journey of discovery as she reveals what it might take for us to coexist with wild boar.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published February 1, 2024
19 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 29, 2024
I really enjoyed this book; it was insightful, informative, and engaging in equal measure.
I really enjoyed the inclusion of anecdotes, both from the author's life and the lives of those she met and interviewed.
The inclusion of scientific study and review was immensely eye-opening - I loved learning about the impact of the boar on our natural landscape. It was incredible to learn how important they are for rejuvenation of the landscape and biodiversity.
This was a really balanced account as well - the author didn't shy away from interviewing people with varying opinions on the boar.
Throughout the book, you can clearly feel the love the author has for these animals and their passion for the rewilding of Britain, in which the boar could and should play an integral part.
I really enjoyed the inclusion of anecdotes, both from the author's life and the lives of those she met and interviewed.
The inclusion of scientific study and review was immensely eye-opening - I loved learning about the impact of the boar on our natural landscape. It was incredible to learn how important they are for rejuvenation of the landscape and biodiversity.
This was a really balanced account as well - the author didn't shy away from interviewing people with varying opinions on the boar.
Throughout the book, you can clearly feel the love the author has for these animals and their passion for the rewilding of Britain, in which the boar could and should play an integral part.
February 7, 2025
Very interesting to hear a positive perspective on the (re)introduction of wild boar. Quite different from perspectives and aims of North American wild boar research.
Her enthusiasm on the topic is refreshing, and reminds me that wild boar truly are a fascinating species. Too bad I despise my research. Lol
Her enthusiasm on the topic is refreshing, and reminds me that wild boar truly are a fascinating species. Too bad I despise my research. Lol
April 19, 2024
Surprisingly compulsive
February 9, 2024
I loved this book for so many reasons.
Lyons perfectly balances scientific information about the benefits of reintroducing wild boar in our ecosystem with beautifully narrating her story. It’s very informative, yet accessible for someone who didn’t know anything about wild boar. It’s well researched and I loved that Lyons went beyond Britain to see what could be learnt from Europe. What I found particularly fascinating was her findings on public perceptions of wild boar and the factors which influence this.
Lyons doesn’t shy away from explaining the possible negative impact wild boar can have on the ecosystem and takes the reader through options to minimise the risks. Lyons style is persuasive, but not pushy; leaving the reader able to feel a whole host of feelings about the wild boar.
At the same time, her book felt personal. I could totally picture Lyons in the woods hiding in the undergrowth to watch the wild boar. Her descriptions frequently put a big smile on my face and I felt I was on an important journey with her.
Lyons perfectly balances scientific information about the benefits of reintroducing wild boar in our ecosystem with beautifully narrating her story. It’s very informative, yet accessible for someone who didn’t know anything about wild boar. It’s well researched and I loved that Lyons went beyond Britain to see what could be learnt from Europe. What I found particularly fascinating was her findings on public perceptions of wild boar and the factors which influence this.
Lyons doesn’t shy away from explaining the possible negative impact wild boar can have on the ecosystem and takes the reader through options to minimise the risks. Lyons style is persuasive, but not pushy; leaving the reader able to feel a whole host of feelings about the wild boar.
At the same time, her book felt personal. I could totally picture Lyons in the woods hiding in the undergrowth to watch the wild boar. Her descriptions frequently put a big smile on my face and I felt I was on an important journey with her.
March 12, 2025
Groundbreakers was inspired by the author's dissertation into living with wild boar in the Forest of Dean, which lead to an ongoing interest in this native species of the UK, which became extinct in mediaeval times but that has been farmed here since the 1980s and since then has been escaping into the wild. The boar is increasing in population in this country and is thriving across Europe.
This book explores the history of human - boar relationships in the UK, focussing on the Forest of Dean, which is where most of our boars live these days. Historically people hunted boar for food but also respected them as fellow inhabitants of the land. These days the people who live in the areas with Wild Boar populations are having to relearn how to live alongside such a large, now unfamiliar animal.
The author describes her first encounter with a Wild Boar: "She was smaller and darker than I had expected. Her ears were fluffy and pointed, like those of an elven teddy bear. Her face was grey as if she had plunged it into a long-cold fire. Below ridges so like human eyebrows, her eyes met mine."
She meets several people who have experience of living alongside boar in this country, some of whom love the boars and some of whom hate them. We're given a decent understanding of both points of view. She also meets people who live alongside boars in other European countries, where they have always been part of the landscape.
The author shows how boar can alter their immediate environment, often to the benefit of other species, for example, when a boar has been digging, insects and earthworms will come to the surface for birds to eat. On the other hand they've been shown to have a detrimental effect on for example adders in Belgium and Hazel Dormice in the UK.
The book also discusses the need for management of boar, through hunting and potentially reintroducing predators such as lynx.
This is an excellent book for anyone interested in the status of Wild Boar in the UK.
This book explores the history of human - boar relationships in the UK, focussing on the Forest of Dean, which is where most of our boars live these days. Historically people hunted boar for food but also respected them as fellow inhabitants of the land. These days the people who live in the areas with Wild Boar populations are having to relearn how to live alongside such a large, now unfamiliar animal.
The author describes her first encounter with a Wild Boar: "She was smaller and darker than I had expected. Her ears were fluffy and pointed, like those of an elven teddy bear. Her face was grey as if she had plunged it into a long-cold fire. Below ridges so like human eyebrows, her eyes met mine."
She meets several people who have experience of living alongside boar in this country, some of whom love the boars and some of whom hate them. We're given a decent understanding of both points of view. She also meets people who live alongside boars in other European countries, where they have always been part of the landscape.
The author shows how boar can alter their immediate environment, often to the benefit of other species, for example, when a boar has been digging, insects and earthworms will come to the surface for birds to eat. On the other hand they've been shown to have a detrimental effect on for example adders in Belgium and Hazel Dormice in the UK.
The book also discusses the need for management of boar, through hunting and potentially reintroducing predators such as lynx.
This is an excellent book for anyone interested in the status of Wild Boar in the UK.
February 1, 2024
I did not know much about wild boar before I started reading this book. Now I cannot believe that I overlooked them for so long. As Lyons shows, the boar are a vital – and, in most places, missing – part of the ecosystem. While she clearly supports their revival across the countryside, this book doesn't shy away from what that would mean for its human occupants. This nuance was probably what I enjoyed most about Groundbreakers. Rather than writing a simple paean to the boar, Lyons has reconciled both the joys and the challenges of their wildness – and her account is all the more trustworthy and persuasive for it.
November 29, 2025
This is a wonderful book. Single species books often get bogged down in detail, or fail to make the vital connections with all the other species that operate in the same ecosystem, including humans. This does neither. It gives a fair, balanced and yet passionate description of how the boar was once an essential part of our nature, how it is coming back in stuttering, fragile steps, and how that recovery can so easily be stalled on the altar of human exceptionalism. Mankind, it points out, can always find an excuse or justification for anything, but will we ever know or learn what we are missing if we keep allowing ourselves to make those excuses. Highly recommended.
September 29, 2025
This thoughtful and dedicated novel perfectly encapsulates a variety of perspectives to boar and their benefits without feeling biased or preachy. As someone who has grown up near to the Forest of Dean and had many encounters with the boar I appreciate how this book enthusiastically conveys the magic of the boar, a deep understanding for their ecological benefits and a detailed history of their past, present and potential future. I would recommend this wholeheartedly to any nature enthusiast and will be gifting it myself to friends and family. 10/10, a brilliant read!
April 15, 2024
Interesting read
Although this is an interesting and passionate defence of wild boar and their role in rewilding it is not a great read. The author makes a great case for boar but her writing style grated with me.
Although this is an interesting and passionate defence of wild boar and their role in rewilding it is not a great read. The author makes a great case for boar but her writing style grated with me.
April 6, 2025
Groundbreaking! Genuinely loved this book, I arrived not knowing anything about wild boars aside from their representation in the Asterix comics and left with an appreciation for the boar and a strong desire for a better future for them.
June 16, 2024
Read for The Mammal Society Bookclub.
December 30, 2024
My bread and boarter
February 6, 2025
Compelling
March 16, 2025
A wild boar of a book - surprising, delightful and slightly terrifying in equal measure.
April 14, 2025
Brilliant book, honestly, witty with some harsh truths. A great blend of science and social reality
May 19, 2024
Boars were once part of the British landscape, but went extinct in about the 14th century. Recently, they've started to make a tenuous comeback in the Forest of Dean, Galloway and a few other places where accidental or deliberate releases have happened. Well loved by some, they are not always welcomed by everyone, and living alongside them at the very least forces a change in attitudes.
This book, the extension of a Master's thesis, looks at how wild boar have returned and the way people have dealt with them.
It's written as extended reportage, following the authors own journey to understand them, and the way people react to them. Its an easy, well-written read.
Unlike much of this type of writing, Lyons recognises that the reestablishment of this species may not last, with some introduced populations in Kent probably having disappeared again, and most rewilding projects preferring to use robust breeds of pigs, such as Tamworths, as a less controversial alternative.
I'd love to see wild boar, lynx and other animals make a return, but I do wonder if they're too big a leap for the UK now, and whether the Tamworth route is a more practical one. Still, this is a thoughtful contribution to the discussion and worth reading both by rewilding advocates and those who love the woods, but would rather not find a massive boar in their way when out walking.
This book, the extension of a Master's thesis, looks at how wild boar have returned and the way people have dealt with them.
It's written as extended reportage, following the authors own journey to understand them, and the way people react to them. Its an easy, well-written read.
Unlike much of this type of writing, Lyons recognises that the reestablishment of this species may not last, with some introduced populations in Kent probably having disappeared again, and most rewilding projects preferring to use robust breeds of pigs, such as Tamworths, as a less controversial alternative.
I'd love to see wild boar, lynx and other animals make a return, but I do wonder if they're too big a leap for the UK now, and whether the Tamworth route is a more practical one. Still, this is a thoughtful contribution to the discussion and worth reading both by rewilding advocates and those who love the woods, but would rather not find a massive boar in their way when out walking.
November 14, 2024
wonderful
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews