Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) - Photograph by David Behrens

The Wild Boar (Sus scrofa cristatus), called Jungli Suar in Hindi is a widespread resident in India. In Haryana it is found mainly in the Kalesar forest and the Morni Hills. The male has tusks which can grow up to 10 inches. A fully groan wild boar can measure up to 3 feet at the shoulders and weigh 225 kg. Their diet includes insects, snakes, carrion, roots, crops etc.

Wild boars live in groups called sounders. Sounders typically contain around 20 to 50 animals. In a typical sounder there are two or three sows and their offspring; adult males are not part of the sounder outside of the autumnal breeding season and are usually found alone. Birth, called farrowing, usually occurs in the spring; a litter will typically contain five piglets, but up to 13 have been known.

The animals are usually nocturnal, foraging from dusk until dawn but with resting periods during both night and day. This is because hunters are most active during the day. They eat almost anything they come across, including nuts, berries, carrion, roots, tubers, refuse, insects, small reptiles etc. If surprised or cornered they may become aggressive - particularly a sow with her piglets - and if attacked will defend themselves vigorously with their tusks.