A chilling encounter unfolded on the snowy slopes near Saint-Lary-Soulan in the French Pyrenees when a wild boar charged at an off-piste skier, leaving onlookers both alarmed and incredulous.
The tense moment was captured on video by a bystander, who narrated the unfolding drama with a string of expletives.
In the footage, the skier can be seen trudging through thick snow before freezing in his tracks upon spotting the wild animal ahead.
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The boar wasted no time, bounding aggressively through the snow toward the man, who tried to back away while keeping his eyes locked on the advancing animal.
Despite his efforts to retreat, the skier was knocked over, with the boar appearing to bite at his legs as it overpowered him.
The cameraperson, stunned by the ferocity of the attack, momentarily stopped filming to rush to the skier’s aid.
His repeated cries of “Oh sh*t” echoed the sentiments of many who later viewed the footage online.
Remarkably, the skier, who chose to remain anonymous, emerged unhurt from the harrowing incident.
Speaking afterward, he expressed gratitude for escaping unscathed.
Locals, however, seemed unfazed by the danger posed by the animal.
One succinctly commented, “Strong animal,” while online reactions ranged from humorous to critical.
“I’ve never heard a more sincere ‘oh sh*t,’” wrote Luc, while Patrick joked, “So you had a barbecue?” Others, like Maria, used the incident to highlight concerns about growing wild boar populations, blaming a lack of hunting for the increase.
The surge in wild boar numbers across the Pyrenees has been a growing issue in recent years.
Factors such as warmer winters, the abandonment of rural areas, and the absence of natural predators like wolves and bears have created ideal conditions for the animals to thrive.
Wild boars, which can sprint at speeds of up to 30 mph, possess sharp tusks capable of causing severe injuries, particularly when they feel threatened or are defending their young.
Experts advise that anyone encountering a boar in the wild should remain calm, keep their distance, and avoid any actions that might be perceived as aggressive.
In case of danger, seeking refuge on higher ground, such as a tree or a large rock, is strongly recommended.
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