Wild boars found dead in state park

ALLEGANY, N.Y. (WIVB) - Authorities believe the wild boars are no more in Allegany State Park. Two of the animals have been found dead and a bow hunter killed the third.

Just over a week ago we received several Newstracker photos of wild boar sightings in Allegany State Park.

"The tell-tale sign is the way the tails are formed. On wild pigs the tails are straight where as domestic pigs the tails are curled," said Mike Miecznikowski, State Parks Director, Allegany Region.

Park officials speculate that the three boars were either released in the park or that they escaped from a nearby hunting preserve. The pig sightings generated a lot of public interest especially among local hunters.

"It is legal for a hunter if he's out pursuing big game, its legal for a hunter with a small game license to take one of these animals," said Ken Baginski, a wildlife biologist.

Less than a week later two dead pigs were found on nearby Seneca Nation lands. And this past weekend a third was taken down by Mark Luciano with his bow and arrow in the Limestone Run Area.

"We're hoping that these were the three pigs that were spotted in the park. But we have nothing to confirm that and we have no idea what the population is," said forester Darrin Bierfeldt.

Since the third pig was taken down last weekend no additional sightings have been reported but officials warn park goers if they happen to encounter a wild boar not to feed or approach the animal and to report any additional sightings to the DEC.