NHS worker wins Countryfile competition with elusive boar photo

An NHS worker whose photos of an elusive boar won a place in the BBC Countryfile calendar, says being in nature is her “stress reliever”.

Carol Gadd works from her home in the Cotswolds and says she took up photography as an antidote to her busy life.

Her image Boar To Be Wild, of a boar with her piglets in the Forest of Dean, will feature in the 2024 calendar.

She said being in nature and “capturing special moments” is “important” to her.

“It’s a real stress reliever but it’s much more than that,” she said.

“It’s completely taken over and being out in nature is really important to me.

“When you take a photograph of wildlife that’s something you can study after the event.

“You can look an animal directly in the eye and see their details. I love watching their behaviours.”

She has spent many years recording and watching wildlife in nature and has become extremely passionate about her hobby.

She said she took her winning photograph in March, after searching the Forest of Dean for the secretive and elusive boar that live there for “several years”.

“It was an amazing experience to find them, but you have to be careful around them,” she said.

“It was a mix of trepidation and excitement. We found two females protecting two litters.

“[In the photo] It looks like she’s smiling but she wasn’t happy and made steps towards us. We lowered the cameras and backed off,” she added.

Ms Gadd said she was watching the Countryfile show on TV as the presenters announced the competition and “almost fell off her chair” when they said she had won.

“I really wasn’t expecting to get anywhere,” she added.