The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1910-01-13
WILD PIGS ARE UGLY FIGHTERS.
Mexican Peccaries Kill Both Men and
Beasts.

In one Of his journeys into Mexico
Edward W. Walton, mining expert,
had a close call from being sliced to
shreds by the fierce little South
American pigs known as peccaries.
He told the story of his escape to a
Denver Post reporter.
Il wished to secure some plumes
from a number Of the beautifully
plumaged BIRDS" said Mr.. Walton.
Il went into the jungle and came to
a small opening in which there were
dry leaves. probably foot in depth,
covering the ground. and hundreds Of
beautifully colored tropical birds in
the air and in the trees. [ fired at
one of the birds in flight. when it
seemed to me the whole area OF those
dead leaves arose in front Of and all
around me. Being stranger, natur-
ally I was much frightened. especi-
ally when I saw the animals which
raised up the leaves apparently ready
for an attack. The older animals
opened and closed their mouths,
showing their big sharp tusks, form
ed very much like dirk knife, and
some of them started towards me.
Impulsively l began firing my gun
in the air and turned around, which
seemed to stop most of them momen-
tarily, and as l had lots of cartridges
kept up the shooting and they
turned and ran away. l found after
ward that I had saved my life by
so doing, and by not shooting any of
the animals. F..
These animals proved to be the
peccaries, the same species as are in
the Enclosures at the city park. They
are most ferocious, and will attack
any animal in existence on the slight
est provocation. When l got back
to headquarters and told my COM
panions my experience l was inform
that had 1 shot one of the animals
and made him squeal the whole
bunch would have been on me and
would have torn me to pieces quick
ly. They have been known to kill
bear, jaguars, cattle, horses, and any
number of dogs. Although in the
fight scores of their number might be
killed, they seem to have no fear
when once aroused.
Il was told that peccaries burroW
under the dry leaves to protect them
selves from mosquitoes and other
winged pests of that hot country.
My friends had many exciting expert.
ences to tell in regard to these fe-
rocious little animals. One of this
party, while travelling with a COM
panion in wage, stopped for
luncheon under some trees and
turned their horses out to Craze.
While at luncheon large bunch of
peccaries appeared, and the party
thought it would be nice to shoot
among them and get one or two for
meat, so they fired into them, wound
ing several, which began to squeal.
Then the whole bunch made an at
tack. The men climbed quickly into
the wagon, and kept on shooting as
long as their ammunition which they
had in their pockets lasted. AS they
were opening their bags to get out
more ammunition the peccaries climb
ed up the tongue Of the wagon and
jumped into it, and the men only
saved themselves by jumping onto
the seat and then on to limbs of the
trees, the peccaries taking possession
of the wagon and tearing things to
pieces, the men watching them In
safety in the trees"
The peccary, or South American
wild boar, is the smallest Of his spe-
cies, averaging about three feet long,
nor is the animal possessed of any
unusual degree of strength. To make
up for this natural individual def
cheney in combat with more powerful
animals of the jungle, the peccaries
always travel in large herds. When
once attacked by herd of peccaries
the outcome is nearly always death to
their enemy. The little pigs are
armed with short, sharp tusks, and
no matter how great the slaughter of
their own number during the melee,
the herd stay on the job until the
work is finished.
Travellers in tropical and South
countries tell of fierce en-
counters between the peccaries and
the jaguar, the monster cat, which is
lord Of the forests. The jaguar has
a fondness for a dinner of pork, but
a wholesome respect for herd of
wild pigs. Whe he wants to satisfy