- Joined
- Aug 9, 2010
- Location
- Coral Springs, Florida
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CORAL SPRINGS —
A trapper is on his second round of bait to catch an elusive wild boar that was spotted last week roaming in Coral Springs.
After the tusked swine was seen heading north in the 125th block of Sample Road last Tuesday, police called in an expert: Kevin Garvey, owner of Nuisance Wildlife Control in Pompano Beach, has been profiled on National Geographic and Animal Planet for his prowess at corralling alligators.
"I've been here 15 years and I've never heard [of us] attempting to trap a wild boar," said Lt. Joe McHugh, police spokesman.
McHugh said there were two police sightings, both in the same area on Sample Road. In the second, on Wednesday night, a sergeant spotted the boar, but "it took off," McHugh said.
At that point police turned to Garvey, who laid out several cage-type traps.
McHugh would not reveal the exact location for fear that an ill-equipped person might try to find the boar, and actually succeed.
"They can become very aggressive with human beings and other animals," he said. He recommends that anyone who sees the boar call 911 immediately.
Garvey said he found tracks on Thanksgiving Day, but the trail didn't lead anywhere. Because the boar reportedly has tusks, indicating maturity, the trapper estimates it at 200 to 250 pounds.
"It may have come across from the Everglades, across the Sawgrass Expressway, or under the bridge," McHugh said. "It definitely came from the west."
On Sunday Garvey found spots where the boar had been rooting, digging up grass in search of plant roots and bugs to eat.
Garvey said he thinks raccoons have slowed the boar's progress by stealing the bait — strawberries, melon rinds and oranges.
So he set out different bait — cracked corn, molasses and apples.
"The cracked corn is not a delicacy to them," Garvey said.
He provided a psychological profile of the boar:
"He's all by himself, he's not running with other pigs. He's definitely out of his element. He's just moseying around there. He's kind of lost at this time.
"He can be dangerous. If he's a boar and has tusks on him, he can be territorial. If confronted, he won't back down, he'll definitely hold his ground," Garvey said.
"They're not a pleasant animal to run across."
Staff researcher Barbara Hijek contributed to this report.
Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@SunSentinel.com or 954-572-2008.
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Copyright © 2010, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
CORAL SPRINGS —
A trapper is on his second round of bait to catch an elusive wild boar that was spotted last week roaming in Coral Springs.
After the tusked swine was seen heading north in the 125th block of Sample Road last Tuesday, police called in an expert: Kevin Garvey, owner of Nuisance Wildlife Control in Pompano Beach, has been profiled on National Geographic and Animal Planet for his prowess at corralling alligators.
"I've been here 15 years and I've never heard [of us] attempting to trap a wild boar," said Lt. Joe McHugh, police spokesman.
McHugh said there were two police sightings, both in the same area on Sample Road. In the second, on Wednesday night, a sergeant spotted the boar, but "it took off," McHugh said.
At that point police turned to Garvey, who laid out several cage-type traps.
McHugh would not reveal the exact location for fear that an ill-equipped person might try to find the boar, and actually succeed.
"They can become very aggressive with human beings and other animals," he said. He recommends that anyone who sees the boar call 911 immediately.
Garvey said he found tracks on Thanksgiving Day, but the trail didn't lead anywhere. Because the boar reportedly has tusks, indicating maturity, the trapper estimates it at 200 to 250 pounds.
"It may have come across from the Everglades, across the Sawgrass Expressway, or under the bridge," McHugh said. "It definitely came from the west."
On Sunday Garvey found spots where the boar had been rooting, digging up grass in search of plant roots and bugs to eat.
Garvey said he thinks raccoons have slowed the boar's progress by stealing the bait — strawberries, melon rinds and oranges.
So he set out different bait — cracked corn, molasses and apples.
"The cracked corn is not a delicacy to them," Garvey said.
He provided a psychological profile of the boar:
"He's all by himself, he's not running with other pigs. He's definitely out of his element. He's just moseying around there. He's kind of lost at this time.
"He can be dangerous. If he's a boar and has tusks on him, he can be territorial. If confronted, he won't back down, he'll definitely hold his ground," Garvey said.
"They're not a pleasant animal to run across."
Staff researcher Barbara Hijek contributed to this report.
Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@SunSentinel.com or 954-572-2008.
Sun-Sentinel.com wants to give YOU an ipad for the Holidays. Click for more details.
Copyright © 2010, South Florida Sun-Sentinel