The wild boar (Sus scrofa), also known as the wild swine, common wild pig, Eurasian wild pig, or simply wild pig is now one of the widest-ranging mammals in the world…considered invasive in most parts.
The Indian boar (Sus scrofa cristatus), also known as the Moupin pig, is a subspecies of wild boar native to Indian subcontinent. It has a large mane which runs in a crest along its back from its head to lower body, more sharply featured and straighter skull, its smaller, sharper ears and overall lighter build. It is slightly taller and more sparsely haired than the European form, though its back bristles are much more developed.The tail is also more tufted, and the cheeks hairier.
The animal in Indian Subcontinent finds mention since the Upper Paleolithic, from cave paintings to Hindu mythology.
Seen here feeding on the tubers underwater and aquatic plants.
Shot in Coorg, Karnataka, Nikon Gears, Feb 2026 © Dr. Bishan Monnappa
Even though,Wild boars are protected under Schedule III of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.,these wild pigs(Kaad Pandi or Koora Pandi or Mulla Pandi are prolific breeders and cause extensive damage to agriculture, the Karnataka government (KFD) historically issued orders allowing for selective pulling since 2016 with restrictions to be used by only by registered farmers. porcupine or “Mullla Pandi” is not belongs to pig species.
Unlike many varieties of wild boars, The word porcupine means “quill pig” in Latin; however, porcupines are large rodents and have no relation to pigs. Porcupines are the largest and heaviest of all rodents Culling a state-wide order was issued allowing farmers with licensed firearms to shoot wild boars that enter their fields and damage crops. This order included strict conditions:
1. Hunting is prohibited inside forest
2. Lactating or pregnant sows cannot be killed.
3. The carcass must be handed over to the Forest Department for burial or burning and cannot be consumed.
Practically there’s no such practice followed by farmers because of poor infrastructure and staff availability in forest department. Hence it’s killing and consuming meat or illegal selling in black market under the pretext of “Culling wild boars” are uncontrolled activities with legal umbrella.
The staple for pandikari . I hope there’s a sustainable program in place.
Traditionally, Pandi Curry, the iconic pork dish of the Kodava community – was prepared using meat from the wild boar, reflecting the highly structured hunting traditions and forest lifestyle of the Kodavas. The fact though is that this so called venerable dish is grossly overstated in our fairly vast culinary repertoire (refer Coorg the cookbook).
The wild boar is now a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. They have become a menace and regularly raid plantations and farms destroying precious paddy crops – but the poor creatures have nothing to eat in the so-called reserve forests.