Hundreds of pigs released in New Forest to eat up acorns

The centuries-old tradition sees the pigs let loose in the national park by commoners.

The pannage improves conditions for ponies and cattle by hoovering up acorns which can cause internal bleeding and death.

They also eat beech mast, crab apples and anything else they can find.

The exact dates for ‘pannage season’ are decided by the Verderers and Forestry England according to seasonal variations.

And this year the pigs will be released on Monday, September 16, until November 22.

But this may be extended if there is a “glut of acorns”.

Pannage in the New Forest (Image: Ray Whitfield)

A spokesperson from New Forest National Park said: “Pannage is also known as ‘common of mast’, one of the common rights attached to various properties in and around the New Forest that allows commoners to graze their pigs on the Forest.

“Traditionally pannage enabled commoners to fatten their pigs for slaughter and salting in the winter.

“In modern times between 200 and 600 pigs are turned out as the number owned by commoners has fallen. In the 19th century the number was as high as 6,000.

“Thank you for keeping your distance from the pigs (don’t touch or feed them) and drive slowly through the Forest as they often wander onto roads.”