Urban Wild Boars

[Uncle Ji]

Just wanted to share these pictures my son in Kobe, Japan (attending College) took last month. These wild boar have become overpopulated in the nearby mountains so are spreading to the urban areas. They are protected so cannot be harmed, and they have become a nuisance raiding gardens, and trash cans.


Here's a link to a short article on the problem. http://www.city.kobe.jp/cityoffice/81/e/wild/

They would be served up as a first course at a Luau long before they ever became a problem here in Hawaii.

 

[larrysogla]

Human logic has taken a weird turn when it comes to animals. The Japanese have pushed hard to harvest whales for human consumption inspite of the opposition from all the other countries, but will not allow a fast reproducing pest as the wild boar to be harvested even for consumption. What a contradiction & illogic. Don't know what else to say. larrysogla.

 

[larrysogla]

Check out the pictures on the Kobe City link. The boars look like the Javelina of Arizona & Texas with a brown hair instead of black.

Uncle Ji,
Is that a native species of Japan or a transplant. Very distinctive looking, especially the snout/head. Do they ever eat it over there??? How big/heavy are they???

larrysogla.

 

[Uncle Ji]

These boar are purely native in variety, it's own subspecies, but definately not endangered with hunting allowed in some rural areas though firearms ownership another whole issue to deal with there. I was also very taken by their attractive appearance their shaggy tan coat, blonde chin, belly, and top of head with dark muzzle, very handsome for a piggy. From what I hear they average 45 to 100 kilograms or roughly 100 to 220 pounds, though there are bigger ones up in the hills so pretty much size comperable to other type wild boars. I beleive the ones in the picture at least the 2 in the rear are youngin's. Also the Sika deer(pronounced Shika- shee'kah which literally translates into "deer" in Japanese) are over abundant also with total lack of fear of man in urban areas with gorings during their rut not uncommon. Alot of good meat going to waste.

Here's a pic of some (native) urban Sika Deer:

 

[sdbowyer]

Uncle Ji,

Thanks for posting these. I've spent a lot of time trying to find decent pictures of these Japanese boar on the web with limited succes. Very cool!

 

[glgst]

Did someone just slap the $hit out of that deer on the right or what??
Those little deer gore people?

Very cool pics, thanks for sharing
glgst

 

[Jeff S.]

In Nara (Japan) you can buy special cookies to feed the deer in the park who line up along the footpaths for a free handout.

- Jeff

 

[fremont]

THAT AIN'T URBAN BOAR....THEM ARE "TONKATSU"!!!!!!!!!!

INGREDIENTS:

4 pork chops
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 cup flour
1 egg
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
Vegetable oil for frying
PREPARATION:


Cut the edge of pork chops in several places. Sprinkle salt and pepper on the pork. Put flour lightly on the pork. Dip the pork in beaten egg. Put panko on the pork and pat them well. Fry the pork in 320F oil for a few min. Turn over the pork chops and fry a few more min. Take out the pork and put them on a paper towel to drain the oil. Cut each tonkatsu into small pieces. **Serve shredded cabbage and tonkatsu sauce with tonkatsu.

 

[Uncle Ji]

Just a note- Japanese boars are called by 2 common terms which reflects there potential size, and ferocity, "Yamakujira" which literally translates "mountain whale", and "Inoshishi" or "Lion of Ino". They have a reputation for ferocity even known to kill tigers when attacked.

The Sika (Shika) in the photo were taken by my son in a park in Nara. They are closely related to Red Stag, and our American Elk (Wapiti) sort of a mini version. When in full rut their antlers look just like a mini elk, and during this time many parks as well as many temples and shrines where these deer inhabit will capture the deer and saw off the antlers to prevent harm to visitors.

Try making "Katsudonburi" with the leftover "Tonkatsu", and wash down with an ice cold Asahi Draft...