European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 22, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A amps photos by Jim Derheim pig Park with activity a wild pig has a face that Only a Mother could love. But parents worry not the creatures look much meaner than they Are. By Chuck Roberts staff writer it s feeding time at the wild pig Park and the Swine Are swarming. With tusks protruding skyward from their snouts the beastly looking boars Scurry about the ground devouring kernels of Corn thrown to them by children and adults. Even before visitors have reached the Park the pet like pigs will approach their cars for handouts a just As gentle Deer do at Many . Parks. These scenes Are repeated daily at the  in Odenwald near Morbach Germany. Each year nearly 50,000 people come from Belgium France the Netherlands and Germany to visit the Park where about 320 pigs Are fenced inside approximately 2,500 acres of Pristine Forest. The exact reason that so Many civilized people go to see wild beasts is not Clear even to Gerhard Friemel chief of the Eberbach forestry office that runs the Park. Quot we wonder sometimes a Friemel said while standing at the feeding area located about 200 feet from the parking zone. He said Many probably come because they live in cities and Are unable to see similar wildlife near their Homes. The Park s visitors have included Charles the Prince of Wales who participates in the annual boar Hunt. Meat taken from the Hunt can be bought from the Forest department but customers must buy the entire pig. The Price is 10 Marks per kilogram and the weights vary from 25-60 kilograms per pig. At an Exchange rate of 1.70 Marks per Dollar a 50-kilo pig would Cost $294. But feeding time is the main attraction at the Park and the person in charge is Hans Neff who will feed no Swine before it s time. Feeding time begins at 4 . And lasts about 30 minutes. During that time the Jovial Neff feeds the pigs a processed food that looks More like wine corks than food. Neff has worked for the forestry department for 45 years and has been feeding the pigs for 25 years. Although most of them appear equally ugly Neff said he 12 stripes Magazine August 22, 1991 a visitor carrying a bag filled with Corn is surrounded by snuffling pigs. Even though the animals Are fed regularly they always seem to have room for More. Knows Many of them by sight. Despite being fed regularly by Neff the Large beasts which weigh As much As 190 pounds seem to have plenty of space left in their stomachs for tourists vittles. Visitors can feed the pigs Corn that can be bought at the Park. But be careful when feeding the critters Neff said two or three tourists Are bitten each year by feeding the pigs directly from their hands. About 130 pigs usually show up at the feeding area which is open 1 -6 . Daily from March 15 through nov. 15. For the remainder of the year operating hours Are 1-5 . Saturdays and sundays. Neff said Between 2 and 3 . Are Good times to catch the pigs in action. The Cost to see these princes of pork is 2 Marks for adults and 1 Mark for children under 14. The action is slower during the Winter when the pigs Are Busy reproducing themselves and food is plentiful in the Forest. Neff said the Swine Are too Busy to eat during the mating season in october and november. Quot after love he has time to eat a Neff said. During the Winter the pigs feed off roots and beechnut found on the Forest floor. Mother pigs live off their fat after the approximately 100 newborns arrive each year. The Best time to visit the Park which was established in 1960, is during the Spring or autumn when the Forest is emerging with new life or fading colourfully into fall Friemel said. Other attractions available at the Park include hiking and biking trails. Also nearby is the site of a roman Bath that is Worth a visit. To find the Baths follow the signs that read Romer bad. In the nearby town of Michel Stadt Wurzberg is another place to experience wild game a the Zum Hirsch restaurant. The restaurant offers a combination wild game Platter of boar and Deer for about 30 Marks $17. One Platter is enough for four Normal appetites or for two Lumberjack types. The restaurant is on the main Street and is decorated with a mural of a Deer on its exterior. Fur Ite be information about the Park or buying wild game fall the Eberbach forestry office at 06271-3838. S i j a amps map Peter Jaeger a a w frill a Small Hoy tosses Corn to his new friends. At left three cute and furry piglets await More handouts. August 22, 1991 stripes Magazine 13