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Position: 36°49’11″N 28°18’25″E
Wild boars aren’t the first animals one thinks of as pets. In Europe they’re more comestible than companion. Turkey, however, is 99% Muslim and pork simply isn’t on the menu. (One wonders how ex-pat Germans survive – ed.) As a result, boars roam freely here, unconcerned about becoming a Sunday roast. It’s not clear how large the piggy population is. Big enough that silhouetted triangular warning signs caution drivers to keep their eyes peeled in densely forested areas. But judging from the lack of hunting locally, it doesn’t seem as large as Italy’s.
Anatolian boars are generally herbi-insectivores, but occasionally eat small birds and mammals. They can live for 20 years, reach a metre tall, and weigh 150kg. Blessed with very poor eyesight, their keen sense of smell more than compensates. They’re also smart. They figured out humans throw away a lot of perfectly piggable food, and that humans crowd together. Why forage in the forest when you can chow down downtown? The townsfolk of Marmaris and Bodrum have spotted urban(e) boars out for dinner and a stroll.
Strays
The swinish challenge, of course, is the more food left laying about, the more attractive city life is for boars and the more domesticated they become. Perhaps that’s okay. After all, they are well behaved, albeit a little shy. And well-behaved boars are very cute. That’s what a couple of stray dogs figured out when they teamed up with Henrietta, Carol’s latest recruit for her ark.
Turks are a generous bunch when it comes to stray animals (and refugees for that matter). Hundreds of thousands of stray cats and dogs are fed daily by caring people across the country. Their health needs are often met, too. For example, volunteers vaccinate dogs for rabies, leaving an ear tag as proof. As a result, almost all the strays we’ve seen here look well cared for. Actual pets, on the other hand, are loved so much they range from chubby to downright corpulent.
Hot Babe
Al, an emaciated Kangal named for Scarface Al Pacino, and Sonja, a pretty mixed breed named for a Russian spy, figured out that people would slow their car, roll down their window and throw food out for Henrietta. It’s an old trick: put the hot babe by the side of the road to attract attention, then swoop in for the goodies. Given the kindness of the Turks, feeding time usually involves at least three cars and therefore a choice of cuisine. If you’re a starving puppy living in the woods, though, anything looks yummy.
Whenever we’re heading to town, we stop to feed this unusual gang of three. We have grown quite fond of Henrietta with her shaggy matted coat, snorts, and pushy manner. Plus, we discovered there are many more dogs living further back in the woods. Most of whom want food and love and a dry place to snuggle up. We can offer the first two, but there’s really no room at our inn. Besides, we wouldn’t want to break up the gang, and cloven hooves don’t grip well on deck.
Hi Carol & Mike –
I love the video because I love seeing you in person. This is all so educational and so fun to see. Who knew this about Turkey? I really appreciate you taking the time to show us all of your adventures. Of course, I totally understand the connection of Carol & the dogs. ❤️🐾
Love to you both. Stay well.
– Lynn
Thanks Lynn – I hope you’re all doing well and looking forward to a happier new year! The stray dogs here are remarkably calm. Kangals and Anatonlian Shepherds seem like very mellow guard dogs. They don’t have the nutty energy of herding dogs. Stay well and love to all!
Mike and Carol,
This was a delight to read, and the video was likewise sweet to view. I had never imagined a mixed posse of dogs and a wild boar. And their behavior is everything one could hope for in a well-mannered four-legged roommate.
As Lynn said, it’s nice to see and hear you guys, too. It’s nice to stay in touch.
Thanks Michael – Great to hear from you. The key partnership we’ve learned since is Henrietta the boar and Sonja the smaller dog. I think it’s a little like Butch and Sundance. Happy New Year!
omg. amazing footage thank you xoxoxo!!! Yuri and Mochi wanted me to share they like carrots cut up.
It’s so funny – with Annie, Banjo and Marlon all liking carrots, too, we figured all dogs must like them. I guess if the food truck has better stuff, you can be picky? xoxo
Loved it, especially Henrietta! Miss you guys, best wishes for the New Year!
Hi Robin – Happy New Year to you two too! Hope you guys celebrated appropriately and that there aren’t too many grappa bottles lying around!
Thanks to both of you for sharing this remarkable story!
Thanks Ron – keep well. Here’s hoping for a happier 2022!
I love how Henrietta is always wagging her tail! She’s a very friendly lady. Great to see you both and all your new friends. Happy New Year!
She does wag her tail in a happy way. I never knew wild boars did that sort of thing. Perhaps she’s been raised by dogs…
Happy New Year! I think y’all are going to need a bigger boat! 😉
Carol’s ark is taking the shape of a large farm. Perhaps it’s a phase she’s going through…
Someone’s missing Marlon…
Oh, so so much!