Wild Neighbors Roam New Subdivision in San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO — In a surprising twist of nature versus neighborhood, a local family moving into a new home in the vibrant and burgeoning southeast side of San Antonio has unintentionally discovered they’re sharing space with some unexpected wild neighbors. The family, led by newcomer Sean, chose their new abode because of its proximity to nature, right next to Salado Creek and the anticipated Arboretum San Antonio. But what they didn’t expect was to encounter a group of feral pigs right near their front door!
A Surprising Encounter
Sean recounted the shocking moment when he spotted a herd of around ten to twelve pigs, including a protective mama and her adorable little piglets, right at the entrance of the subdivision. “At first, it was hard to tell what I was seeing,” Sean explained. “But when I noticed movement near the roadway easement, I had to stop and take a closer look.” Using the light from his vehicle, he was able to confirm what they were: a herd of playful, albeit potentially dangerous, wild hogs.
“It really made me nervous to be so close to where people live,” Sean admitted. “I know that when a mother pig is startled, they can be extremely dangerous.” In light of this startling discovery, he quickly pulled over to capture a video and sent it off to his family, advising them to be cautious. “I just had to let them know there are pigs around here,” he said, still in disbelief at the peculiar sight.
Social Media Buzz
The tale didn’t end there. Sean’s video quickly made its way onto social media, sparking a lively discussion among fellow residents. A woman who lives about two miles upstream joined in, sharing her own video where a lone hog was seen rummaging through her backyard during the day. The online chatter ranged from concerned residents fearing for their safety to light-hearted comments about turning those pigs into free bacon!
Hunting Laws and Local Regulations
While Texas state laws permit the hunting and trapping of these nuisance animals, navigating the local ordinances can be a bit tricky. Due to city codes, firing guns is off-limits within the city limits, making it challenging for residents who might be considering harvesting these opportunistic pests. However, outside the city limits, hog hunters have it a little easier: they may hunt without a license on private property, though public property hunting does require a license.
Wildlife Management Challenges
A number of longtime residents postulated on the recent surge of feral hogs, with many noting that ongoing construction and urban development have led to a significant loss of their natural habitat. “Now that there’s new development coming in east Bexar County and eastern San Antonio, I’m not surprised,” commented Precinct 4 County Commissioner Tommy Calvert, who resides near a Salado Creek tributary. “That was prime territory for a lot of these feral hogs.”
Eight miles from the east side of the city, there are two county parks – Comanche and Pletz – where park employees have also noticed signs of these animals. “While they haven’t done much damage yet,” Calvert noted, “my neighbors have seen the hogs, and there are certainly concerns about the potential impact they could have, especially since they cause around $52 million of property damage across Texas each year.”
Conclusion
As San Antonio continues to grow and develop, it looks like residents will have to navigate the balance between the natural wildlife and the comfort of urban living. Meanwhile, Sean and his neighbors will remain on the lookout for their newfound pig pals, hoping to share the space safely and living to tell the tale of their wild adventure.
