Wild Pigs Return to South San Jose Neighborhood, Tear Up Lawns

Dried-up Coyote Creek is to blame, experts say

The wild pigs are back.

Every year, around this time, wild pigs in the Bay Area go on the hunt for food. Some homeowners in south San Jose say their neighborhood is being terrorized by a pack of boars every night.

But this year, an ongoing drought forcing wildlife into backyards across the state may be making things worse. One veteran wild pig trapper says he's never received so many calls to get rid of the animals.

“We’ve never been in a drought this bad to where the pigs are running wild everywhere,” said Andy Pangelina has been trapping wild pigs in San Jose for more than 20 years

It’s happening near Coyote Creek at Menard Drive and Forsum Road. Grubs live night under the grass. The pigs love to eat them and are ripping up lawns to get to them.

Gigi Michelle says she has some of the rude neighbors. She says they destroy her lawn and keep her up at night.

“I can hear them coming through the bush,” Michelle said. “Then you can hear them outside the window, grubbing and snorting away.”

More than a dozen wild pigs live in the wooded area across the street from her condo, Michelle said.

Since Coyote Creek has dried up, the pigs are hungry and the grass is greener on the west side of Forsum Road.

“Basically, its’ a buffet for them,” Pangelina said. “They have grubs there and they have water.”

Only licensed trappers are allowed to trap and kill wild boars.

Experts say the pigs don’t have any natural predators and the population is quickly growing.

“They will attack you,” Pangelina said, “especially if you get between a sow and her piglets.”

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