Caution urged in New Forest as Pannage season begins
Hundreds of pigs and piglets have been released to eat acorns toxic to cattle and ponies
Hundreds of pigs and piglets are being released into the New Forest today as Pannage season gets underway.
Motorists in the area and people walking in the National Park are being urged by a Commoner to be cautious around them.
The darker winter months see a rise in animal fatalities on the roads through the Forest.
The pigs and piglets are released at this time of year to eat the acorns that are poisonous to cattle and ponies that roam the park throughout the year.
Gilly Jones, from New Forest Roads Awareness told Greatest Hits Radio is urging drivers to drive with 'care and consideration'.
She said: "You're not only looking for large livestock, you're now also looking for little pigs and piglets."
Drivers are asked to drop their speed when crossing cattle grids into the New Forest to help reduce animal deaths, which historically tend to increase in the winter.
"Please drive to the conditions," Gilly said, adding: "If it's dark, bring your speed down a little bit and be aware that animals can run across the road or may be just stood in the road at any time of the day or night."
Anyone unfortunate enough to be involved in a collision with an animal is told they must report the incident to police, who will contact the local keepers who can get care to the animal.
Gilly told us it's especially important if the animal runs away.
For those walking around the National Park, we're urged to keep our distance from the pigs.
"Loads of people love to come to the Forest to see the pigs," Gilly said, continuing: "If you want that lovely Instagram-able photo, use the zoom lens on your phone."
She added that there are mothers among the pigs that have been released, warning us, they will be 'very protective of their young'.
People with dogs are urged to put them on a lead.