Hi simbo65,
I have heard this mentioned also – and there are mixed opinions – as you can imagine. The male hogs themselves seem to have done a good job historically of mixing up the gene pool as a result of their frequent roaming tendencies I expect – and this has worked out for them for the last 15 million or more years as they still around to demonstrate that. But I also think that the restrictions to access that we continue to challenge them with at an ever increasing rate as we develop / overdevelop and put more roads and traffic in place – will no doubt – be having a negative effect on that too. the flooding we see will also play a part in wiping out colonies (or arrays) of hogs I expect. however – yes – the hog rescue I work alongside is never keen to re-release in areas where there are recognised risks (foxes, badgers, heavy roads and traffic or abuse – which is often why the hogs turn up for help in the first place) so support the re-release in alternative areas where there are already hogs living happily. so I dont think its of huge significance either way.
