Bikers and wild animals - Part 2: What you should do in the event of wild boar encounters

This article was first published on 14.07.2023. We have now revised it.

They can sprint faster than 100-metre king Usain Bolt, have razor-sharp canines and a choleric character lurking in their brains that won't put up with anything easily: Wild boar are the only truly defenceless game in the German forest. In comparison, the wolf is a rabbit's foot. Experts know: In extreme cases, wild boar could even kill a human being.

Anyone who watches YouTube clips of wild boar encounters will be surprised at how aggressive these bristly creatures can become. The animals, which can weigh up to 200 kilos, race towards hikers and hunters like projectiles, whirling people through the air like marionettes. A scary scenario, but wild boars are not forest monsters that attack at random. Normally, they behave shyly and flee from humans.

If you see a wild boar on or next to the trail, you should be happy because it is very rare. What's more, wild boar are usually harmless. My tip: just keep cycling. - Hartwig Görtler, Starnberg's district hunting chief

Only in exceptional cases can wild boar become dangerous. For example, if a biker gets between the young and the mother sow. Then the young start squealing out of fear and the mum sees red. "The mother sow will defend her babies with her life. You can be prepared for a lot," says Görtler. So: drive on, don't stop and never try to stroke the young. In the rare event that a pig suddenly appears in front of you, keep calm! The animal may feel cornered. First measure: place the bike between you and the animal as protection and retreat at a leisurely pace. Avoid hectic movements at all costs, as overly offensive behaviour could make the wild boar aggressive and provoke it to attack. And the pig has the better cards.

>> Part 1 of our series looks at what (not) to do if you encounter a bear

>> Bikers and wild animals - Part 3: What you should be aware of when encountering dogs

Interview with Hartwig Görtler, 1st Chairman of the Starnberg District Hunting Association

BIKE: Should mountain bikers be afraid of wild boars?

Hartwig Görtler: No. There are no life-threatening animals in the forest in Germany. Whether bear, wolf or wild boar: as long as you don't get up close and personal with them, nothing happens - and that applies without exception. Only when an animal feels cornered does it fight back.

When does that happen?

For example, when wild boars have young and you drive into a herd.

What should you do then - or not?

Don't dismount, keep going. Otherwise, the brook will get angry. And a mother pig like that can cause real trouble.

That means?

The wild boar runs at you with force. And it bites. Not half the leg, but it can cause flesh wounds or nasty bruises. Screaming loudly can scare the animals off.

What is no-go behaviour?

Encounters with wild boar are rare and therefore exciting. Many people want to film them with their mobile phones or stroke them - not a good idea.