April 9, 2021

"The boars snooze in people’s paddling pools. They snuffle across the lawns. They kick residents’ soccer balls and play with their dogs.

"They saunter down the sidewalks and sleep in the streets. Some eat from the hands of humans, and they all eat from the trash.... 'It became like an everyday thing,' said Eugene Notkov, 35, a chef who lets his dog play with the boars that putter around the local parks. 'They’re a part of our city'.... Bumping into one is 'like seeing a squirrel.'...'I wish we could all in Israel learn to live like they live in Haifa,' said Edna Gorney, a poet, ecologist and lecturer at the University of Haifa. 'It’s an example of coexistence — not only between Arabs and Jews, but also between humans and wildlife.'... 'They are controlling the streets now,' said Assaf Schechter, 43, a port worker confronted recently by a boar on his porch. 'It’s a very crazy situation.'... 'At night, I would go out, after a drink, and recycle the beer,' Professor Malkinson said. 'It’s two for the price of one — you fertilize the trees and you try to deter the wild boars... Essentially the conflict is between those who oppose having wild boars in the city and those who don’t... It’s not an ecological problem... It’s a social problem.'"

From "Where Boars Hog the Streets Groups of boars have become an unavoidable presence in Haifa/Some human residents are charmed, but others are annoyed or frightened and now carry sticks on walks" (NYT) 

To comment, email me here.

FROM THE EMAIL: Temujin writes: 

I've been told that Haifa is a beautiful, laid back city. Never heard a thing about the boars. Along the Mediterranean and probably in the rest of Israel, and indeed the world, boars are shot, for food or to protect people and crops. Homer told us of Odysseus getting gored by a battle with a boar, leaving him with a lifelong scar. This has been a battle between humans and boars for eons. In Tuscany, boars can destroy vineyards overnight. So...hunting parties go out to kill off boars. And it's served as main entrees on menus all over the world.

But it'll be a problem, if it is not already for Haifa. Feral pigs breed constantly and in huge numbers. Boars are levels more dangerous. Haifa is clearly laid back. And we know from our own experiences here in the US what happens to cities when your policies get too laid back. Things that were on the fringes start to overtake the daily pattern of life. And soon they are no longer a talking point, or cute, or 'quirky'. Just annoying and dangerous and tend to change the face of your city.

Haifa might have to think about how they handle food waste and start featuring Boar steaks, stews, and other features on local menus.

But it's pork! They can't eat it. The Jews can't eat it and the Muslims can't eat it either.

AND: Mike emails:

Well, if you believe Wikipedia (and who doesn't!) the city is 14% Christian. For them, the offer of free pork chops might appeal.

I'm not an expert of the scriptures, but I'm going to guess that the Christians would also have to do all the food prep work.