Download feral pig control project

Information Bulletin
FERAL PIG CONTROL PROJECT
Introduction
Project description
European settlers introduced domesticated pigs to
Australia in the late 1700s. Animals that escaped
captivity rapidly reproduced to form wild groups.
This project aims to use traps to reduce the impacts
of feral pigs in montane and coastal wetlands through
a partnership programme with local property owners.
The population of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) in Australia
is estimated to exceed 23 million, primarily located in
NSW, Queensland and the Northern Territory.
It will commence in two areas: the upper Clarence
catchment (Liston to Wilsons Downfall, and
Barretts Ck to Baryulgil), and Shark Creek in the
coastal area.
Feral pigs have been identified as a ‘key threatening
process’ by NSW and the Federal Government due
to their impact on the environment in a range of ways
including habitat degradation, predation, competition
and disease transmission.
This project is funded by the Northern Rivers
Catchment Management Authority (NRCMA) and has
sought the advice of Rural Lands Protection Boards
(RLPB), North-east Pest Forum, Department of
Environment and Conservation (DEC), and other
stakeholders. The project will be consistent with the
Department of Environment and Heritage’s Feral Pig
Threat Abatement Plan.
Landowner partnerships
WetlandCare Australia (WCA) is able to deliver traps
to selected property owners, at no cost, and we can
also provide feed to attract the pigs. In exchange,
landowners must agree to check the traps daily, and
humanely shoot the trapped pigs.
Photo: © Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre
If you live in the nominated areas (outlined above) and you have feral pigs on or near
your wetlands, please contact WetlandCare Australia to discuss hosting one or more
traps. We may be able to offer assistance in the form of trapping guidelines, and feral
pig trap loan and deployment.
WCA intends to seek further funding to control pigs, and is interested in hearing about
other areas of northern NSW with feral pig problems.
Impacts caused by feral pigs:
Habitat destruction and predation
Feral pigs threaten ecological communities
by destroying native plants and killing native
animals including threatened species.
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Feral pigs are heat intolerant and prefer
water
holes,
wetlands and riparian
environments. Fouling, wallowing and rooting
degrade these habitats resulting in erosion,
pollution of water courses and disturbance of
local native plants species.
•
Feral pigs prey on bird chicks, reptiles and
their eggs, frogs, earthworms and other
invertebrates,
and
actively
consume
underground fungi, fruit, seeds, roots, tubers,
bulbs and plant foliage. They have also been
documented as disturbing waterbird breeding
colonies in NSW.
•
Competition and disease transmission
•
Feral pigs are known to compete with
livestock for drought feed.
•
Destruction of native plant species through
trampling may promote weed invasion and
reduces food supplies for native fauna.
•
Feral pigs may act as vectors for, and
reservoirs of, exotic diseases, should they
ever reach Australia. They may also be
responsible for the spread of the root rot
fungus phytophthora cinnamomi which
causes die-back disease in vegetation.
•
It is also thought that feral pigs may compete
with native animal species for food, in
particular specialist fruit feeders like the
cassowary.
Methods of Control
There are a number of methods of control for feral pigs including aerial and ground shooting, fencing, poison baits
and trapping. Of these options trapping and poisoning are two of the most humane and cost-effective methods of
feral pig control and may be used in isolation or combination. As poisoning frequently poses a significant risk to
non-target species, this project will focus on control through trapping.
Trapping
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Trapping is particularly successful during dry periods and when food availability is scarce
Feed such as local foods and fermented grains are used to attract pigs into the traps
Pre-feeding is required before setting the trap
Traps remain in position until no more pig activity is detected, then traps may be relocated
Feral pigs have large territories of up to 50km2
Once trapped, feral pigs should be euthanased humanely with a single shot to the head
Detailed guidelines outlining trap design, location, maintenance and feral pig disposal
are available from Wetland Care Australia.
For further information please contact:
Wetland Care Australia
P O Box 114
Ballina
NSW 2478
Tel:
Fax:
E:
1800 816 147
02 6686 6866
[email protected]
www.wetlandcare.com.au
This project was assisted
by the Northern Rivers
Catchment Management
Authority with funding
supplied by the Australian
Government's Natural
Heritage Trust.