What do you think is most Haifa? the sea? the mountain? Coexistence? The factories? the port? The shawarma? For me, proudly, these are the wild boars. I know they are controversial, but Haifa is also controversial, and I, as their follower, will list six reasons for this.
They are ugly.
If you have to imagine an animal that would be the opposite of a unicorn, it's a wild boar. The rough fur, the talons, and we haven't even begun to talk about the face that seems to have been engineered in the depths of hell. From the ears to the tail there is no aesthetic item in this animal, and that is exactly why I love them. They are so ugly that I find beauty in them, even a kind of perfection - their ugliness is perfect. Besides, when I see them on the street, suddenly it's not so bad if I forgot deodorant or didn't shave in the morning because next to them I'm a unicorn.
They are scary - and that's good.
Why do we watch horror movies, or go on a roller coaster? Why does our brain produce nightmares at night? Because we should be afraid. The wild boars turn our tedious evening walk with the dogs into a rush of adrenaline. I walk in circles and suddenly find myself in front of a huge and horrifying creature that looks at me as if it has every reason to stand where it is and I don't even have one, the dogs are starting to go crazy and I have to manipulate them, and suddenly a monotonous walk turned into a hair-raising experience with no damage (in most cases) And with a good story to tell at home. And all this goodness is free, there is no money.
They are filthy.
There's nothing like the sight of an upside-down trash can in the morning with all the trash scattered on the sidewalk and road. Well, the truth is that it is difficult to protect this habit of the wild boars, but there is an easy solution and that is the fixing of the bins. What's more, the pride and spontaneity with which they stand on their phones and pick through the trash, kind of makes it to me. Maybe because they are our mirror image - the garbage producers. When you really think about it - who are the animals here - they who are satisfied with little and advocate recycling or us whose shopping lust is never satiated and who unknowingly pollute our planet?
They are special.
Haifa's wild boars are pretty much only Haifa's, which is why they are so iconic. Paris has the Eiffel, New York has the Empire State and we have... them. As someone who grew up in a settlement that has nothing special about it (oh, Gan Yavneh) I know how to appreciate a place that has a narrative with characters and a story.
nostalgia.
Here I enter an aspect that is probably unique only to me and a few other fanatical fans of the "Asterix" comic series. Anyone familiar with the world of Asterix, the Gallic warrior, knows how central the wild boars are to it. Every time I see a wild boar there is always hope that later on in the trip I will meet Obelix and Ashfix and maybe also Julius Caesar. Somehow, magically - they jumped from the notebooks of my childhood to the streets of my adulthood.
They are outsiders and that is probably the main reason for my love.
The wild boars, as they are called, belong to the wild, to nature, and as such - do not belong to the city, underdogs. In my personal evolution, it took me a long time to embrace the underdog in me, and here they are - they didn't belong by birth and are still here, and by and large, standing proudly on 4 telepis and looking straight, as if to say - yes, it's me, and I'm here, and you can like it or not. There is a part of me that deeply identifies with them. In middle school I was the wild boar. Each of us has been a wild boar at some point in life. The hug that Haifa gave to the chapters for the wild boars is, for me, a hug that is different.
Ok, those were the main reasons, maybe if I was psychoanalyzed I would find a few more but I'll save it for the general public. I don't know what the city's plans are for the wild boars and I am aware of the negative safety aspects of them roaming freely. I have no pretension to set policy, but in my world, as a proud Haifai, I am also proud of the wild boars.
I wish we knew how to preserve our uniqueness before we try to be too normal because as Joni Mitchell wrote - "Isn't it always the case that you don't know what you have until it's gone?"
Nice and accurate article. The extermination of the pigs is evil and stupidity. This indicates that there is no willingness to invest in nature conservation. You can find ways to move away in certain areas and also leave in other areas.
As a complacent Neve resident I encounter them often and have never encountered their aggression. I don't blame only humans, but there is no doubt that just as one should know how to be careful of an unfamiliar animal, one should also be careful of pigs and not enter into a conflict with them.
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress are measured by its relationship to animals.
Instead of "murdering" living creatures, provide them with water in large reservoirs in the Carmel groves and the Vedios and empty the waste that the municipality does not separate, in feeding centers as well. Or then they will not reach the streets of the cities. But what can you expect from a nation that euthanizes dogs and cats without thinking twice or looking for more humane solutions, such as neutering and returning them to the place they were collected from.
Thank you very much for a humane and humorous look and for not being afraid to present an unpopular opinion. The writing is also very light and flowing. Admirable!
Did you finish 8th grade? Does not seem to. What a hallucination!
Hello everyone, I really connected with your words, Elam Geva and thank you for giving another voice and hugging the wild boars.
From experience they are sociable and cute.
They are here because their house was probably burned and destroyed in the big fire that happened.
And I think there is a simple solution instead of a murderous killing!!!
Provide them with food in their natural environment in the forests. Maybe that way they will feel that they can go back there instead of coming to the city to look for food, that is to draw them back to the forest through compassion, giving and helping. which also in my opinion would be a cheaper solution 😉
Simply collecting breads and vegetables that are thrown away anyway and scattering them in the Carmel forests.
To all the pig lovers. I promise you all that if you or your family members are attacked or even if you just feel threatened, your opinion will change. A big and scary animal. I used to drink coffee and biscuits while traveling. On one occasion my interest returned and I left everything and ran away. Luckily she didn't chase me. My friend parted with Super bags when she got out of the car... she had 2 more bags in her hand and tried to escape. The pig chased and she threw up and ran away. She regretted that her son, who regularly carries a gun, was not with her because he would have shot... I share in her sorrow....
I actually moved to another city because of them. Destroyed the city.
Sanity is a gift given to few in this generation...
I also managed to fall in love with the wild boars. Knowing that they enter our streets to look for food - because of "man" who reduced their living spaces - we must strive to maintain the balance between the animals = nature = and us. The municipality must allocate a forested mountainous area, preferably near the wildlife, fence it, and collect the "All" the roaming pigs, to provide them with food, and perhaps in the future to connect to Live Bar as a park for trips and pleasure, another future Haifa attraction. They must not be killed!!!
In my opinion, the expenses will be much less than the residents' complaints, the garbage near the garbage cans, etc. Food for thought for the city leadership...
About 15/30 years ago, the phenomenon of wild boars did not exist. They were in the groves and in the forest, and this was their home...we humans destroyed them. For a second I thought it was at my house... In short, we don't have any nature and trees left to go for a walk on Shabbat with the dogs in the grove near the house. We don't have 20 buildings anymore... so who is the problem, us or the returnees... are you in favor of killing them... or leaving them even though there is still a little space left for them 8 years there won't be a pig left 10...so share with me a response for or against...and why?
gibberish gibberish. I have lived in Haifa for 77 years and I have not met a wild boar for at least 55 years, not even in the Carmel mountains where we used to hike a lot. Everything changes over time. Some for the better and some not. Crime has also changed its face and it's not because its steps have been restricted - on the contrary.
You have to make sure that the pigs can make money like the refineries and then people won't care about the trouble anymore
In a minute you will also meet jackals who will make your life more stormy
Just like that, they are good-natured, gentle and familial creatures, you must not harm them
Give a hunter's license and start exterminating
When she was a cliché you complained and blamed her for the wild pigs.. you dismissed her and now she's an icon listen too ♀️🤦♀️
Even though we both know that when you're hot for someone no matter what they do you won't get off
That's how it is in this country of psychopaths. The media serves interests
I really liked the article. Agree with every word…
The origin of problems of this type is none other than human civilization and its control over every part, including the destruction of forests. Also in Haifa of course. The animals are killed or deported and have no sources of food and this is the result
and leave them no other alternative.
I have lived in Haifa for 77 years and I have traveled for over 50 years in Carmel and I have never met wild boars there, certainly not in such quantities. The explanations are right off the bat
Great and that is until one day such a cute pig crushes his leg. Then we will see him, a great sage.
What disgusting reactions of small people, violent and much worse than wild pigs
You are mentally challenged
You are mentally ill. Anyone who likes the pigs are pigs themselves and therefore identify with them. Disgust and Haifa disgusts me. I'm glad we ran away to the center. Hadar is Arabs and Russians. And Carmel is 2 types of pigs, those with 2 legs and those with 4 legs! Nothing will remain of the Haifa of my childhood.
Well you lied. Disgust to be in the center
I don't agree, if you like Haifa, you wouldn't say that, Haifa is beautiful and green, there aren't that many people and the air is polluted like in the center, and the prices are crazy for everything... and the back, I'm Russian, I've lived in Haifa for 34 years and don't want to move who's here... it's a shame that the Arabs say the This, a wild boar is just an animal, which is sure better than all the bad people...
I really liked it. Better pigs in the wild and other animals than human pigs who hurt everything. We must not harm the balance and destroy and kill for our own convenience. Nature balances itself. There is nothing like animals and I love them very much. Very!.
You are a serious lover.
As a street name safari
Existence alongside wild animals, even those that are not "acceptable" like wild boars, is an integral part of the experience of living in a green and modern city. Proper management of the interface between humans and wildlife, while emphasizing the advantages and opportunities they offer, can turn Haifa into a unique and successful urban model.
Lovely article!
I also have a fondness for them and in general for animals.
You have to make sure they have water and then they will be outside the settlements.
I really hope they will continue to be part of our landscape.
You're right, the whole problem can be solved if they have water available, but then the residents will start complaining about more serious things, such as the highest percentage of cancer due to the refineries
An interesting article on a complex and fascinating subject. It is important to present all sides of the story, including the advantages of wild boars, alongside the concerns and challenges they pose.
I really enjoyed the article, the wild boars are unique to Haifa and what's more they were there before us. I'm sure there are humane solutions to reduce the damage.
They need to be destroyed before a disaster happens like with Gaza these animals are breeding it's not a forest anymore.. it won't help our brothers I also love animals but what are they doing!!
What does it have to do with Gaza? A little common sense...
You love animals as much as I love the Gazans!
You wrote Maxim, you can easily take care of the project that feeds them, Gal Beit in Haifa and the surrounding area throws so much garbage...
It seems that the article is cynical!
Definately not ! They destroy gardens, scare pedestrians for their house. .. They reproduce in crazy quantities 20 puppies a year. All over the world (Australia, America...) are busy destroying their cab. The damage to agriculture is enormous.
Why don't they come from near humans!
Do not dilute. They should be destroyed just like cockroaches and mice.
And humans? Also proliferate like crazy in relation to the earth. dick!
And I'll add: the little ones/puppies, even cute... from afar...
I liked it, I agree with what was written...
They are not only in Haifa, in Italy and Greece there are quite a few cities and Germany is also tired of them.
Enough of the innocent murder of these wonderful creatures. We are the bad guys in this story... and nature as usual will happily return to take revenge on us!! Humans do not deserve a beautiful world full of pure animals. We are murderers by blood... it starts with our plate
How much bullshit in one article. All this can be written about any animal. domesticated and bar…
I started reading about it, but the article became long with too much text. i stopped
If you like them take them home with you. The rest of the residents of Haifa should not suffer and be afraid of them. There were already residents who were harmed by them whose only sin was that they had food. The place of wild boars is in the wild and not in the city.
Elam Geva, you are such a positive person, I love your attitude and your way of thinking.
We would be happy for more articles that spread goodness for free
I would suggest that you take some of the pigs home and sit together and share experiences from your childhood
They destroyed my car. A pig hit my car at night and caused a lot of damage.
Either you hit a pig while driving, or another car hit the car at night, much more likely than your made up story about a pig hitting a car
Willing to bet that you protest in Kaplan and you also like Hamas.
If there is coexistence with Zibi supporters, then coexistence with the pigs is a small thing
You are welcome to take them with you to the yard to the house to work and to the beach
There is no reason for us to be afraid to return home, get out of the car or just be in the parking lot, on the street or cross a park.
They are no longer in the wild and are not vegetarians
They are completely urban and eat meat from the garbage
Attackers with a bag in your hand or just scared of you just because I happened to pass by.
The Haifaites who don't want the wild boars
They don't do it because, as you said, they are ugly or different and other reasons you mentioned.
And there is no point in taking it to these places
And certainly not to make claims against the residents for throwing the language in the trash or consuming food and other things for their livelihood.
You do too
The residents are not to blame for the wild boars overturning or tearing into the bins
And the pigs are not to blame either.
We live in a city that develops for the benefit of the residents, not in the forest. It's enough to chatter, to gloat, to gloat
and get smarter.
They disturb, frighten and do not help in anything.
We pay so much property tax...if only they emptied the bins every night and created feeding and water centers in the wadis, then the streets would be less attractive to pigs and there would be no need for the horrific final solution.
You forgot: they attack residents, adults in the third age who are the largest percentage in Haifa. Afraid to leave the house especially at night. They attack children with backpacks whose only sin was a sandwich deep in the backpack. But the pigs smell and attack until they get their prey. You forgot: even though the pigs also contain diseases harmful to humans, they did blood tests on the last pigs they caught. And the data is scary. You forgot: in Israel, only after a disaster in the lives of the residents do they make an investigative committee and then give conclusions. which are thinning and removing the wild pigs from Haifa. Do you want to be the first pig victim? You'll even get a nostalgic loaf with a pig statue above you. I'm sorry, but I'd rather Haifaites this time put a cure for the blow. And we will not leave the city of a dream
Childish and strange article even though I haven't read it. Wild boars are very nice in Haifa when you live in Givatayim.
Collect them and send them to Gaza in trucks, a great solution for both us and the Palestinians to escape from Gaza
Ready to help with breathing👍🇮🇱
Destroy the animals that endanger people in the urban complex. Don't wait for disaster. Wild animals have their place in nature
That's the beauty of freedom of speech. Any idiot can express his opinion.
Clean Haifa of all these nasty and dangerous creatures as quickly as possible! immediately!