The New Forest National Park Pigs

The New Forest National Park is not an area that most visitors would expect to see pigs roaming freely. However, pigs are of vital importance to the forest, especially in autumn when the acorns have fallen from the trees. These acorns can be poisonous (if eaten in large numbers) to many animals including the ponies and cattle.

Pigs are owned by the practicing New Forest Commoners who exercise their 'right of mast', an ancient right attached to certain property or land owned by the Commoners (not all commoners own this right). The right allows their pigs to forage for fallen acorns, for 60 days during autumn, known as pannage. For the rest of the year, the pigs are kept on the Commoners' holding. The pigs must be ringed and a marking fee must be paid for each animal, before they are allowed onto the forest. An exception is made for pregnant pigs, known as 'privileged sows' and they are always allowed out. The start date for the pannage season is mainly dependant on the weather and the Verderers decide when the season will begin.

Never approach the pigs as they can be aggressive and will chase you. Always view the pigs and any other forest wildlife from a distance.

When driving through the forest, please keep your speed below 40mph for the safety of all the wildlife and livestock. They could wander across the road, anytime, day or night.