Download Feral Swine in Washington State

Feral Swine in Washington State
Author: Ara Jo
Washington State’s Invasive Species Council recognizes that feral swine are dangerous
invasive species that can cause serious problems to the State’s land, economy and
human health.
What is an invasive species?
What are feral swine?
They are organisms that are not native to a
particular region and cause much harm to the
local environment. These organisms usually do
not have natural predators in their new habitat.
This condition allows for rapid reproduction and
widespread occupation of the local area.
Eurasian domestic pigs, and later
wild boar, were introduced to the
United States more than 150 years
ago. Over time they have escaped
or were released and interbred to
form wild feral swine populations.
What problems and damages do they cause?
Feral swine have rapid reproduction, adapt quickly and are highly aggressive. They will
eat anything. These animals root up soil, in the process damaging property, crops and
grazing pastures. They also cause a great deal of soil erosion and water contamination.
The USDA reported that, “feral swine in the United States cause more than $1
billion in damages and control costs each year.” As aggressive predators, they prey
on small livestock, pets and ground nesting birds. They are always adapting and have
recently been coming into residential suburbs.
Feral Swine Diseases
The USDA found that feral swine carry or transmit over 30 diseases and 37 parasites
that can be given to livestock, pets, native organisms and humans. Feral swine can also
potentially reintroduce diseases that have been eliminated in Washington’s livestock.
Feral swine also carry dangerous diseases such as:
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Toxoplasmosis
Tularemia
Trichinellosis
Swine influenza
Salmonella
E. coli.
Many of the diseases cause extreme sickness, pain and even death.
Jeffrey S. Hord http://www.outdoorcentral.com/2008/10/28/pennsylvania-game-commission-removes-protection-on-feral-swine
Where they are located
Feral swine are not abundant in Washington yet, but their numbers have been growing.
These statistics are shown in a population survey map in the 2011Invasive Species
Council Annual Report (figure to
the left).
Feral Swine Population in the U.S.
West Cost feral swine were
concentrated in California State
in 1982. By 2010 however, their
population has increased
dramatically and has expanded
north into Oregon State, where
they are a serious threat.
Washington State has had
several feral swine sightings in
the southwest and on the
Olympic Peninsula.
What can we do?
Early focus on this severe
invasive species is very
important to the protection for
Washington State’s land,
economy and human health.
Washington Department of Fish
and Wildlife recommend:
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Being informed
Reporting sightings
Educate others
For more information please go to: www.invasivespecies.wa.gov
Sources:
Brown, Wendy. "Feral Swine, Invasive Species Council Priority Species." Invasive Species Council, Washington State, Home Page.
Recreation and Conservation Office, Jan. 2011. Web. 13 Jan. 2012.
<http://www.invasivespecies.wa.gov/priorities/feral_swine.shtml>.
Hord, Jeffrey S. "Pennsylvania Game Commission Removes Protection on Feral Swine." Outdoor Central News Network. ODC
News Network, 28 Oct. 2008. Web. 2 Feb. 2012. <http://www.outdoorcentral.com/2008/10/28/pennsylvania-game-commissionremoves-protection-on-feral-swine/>.
United States Department of Agriculture. Feral Swine: Damage and Disease Threats. Riverdale: United States Department of
Agriculture, 2011. Aug. 2011. Web. 14 Jan. 2012. <http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/nwdp/pdf/feral_swine.pdf>.
Washington State. Washington State Invasive Species Council. Recreation and Conservation Office. 2011 Annual Report to
Legislature. By Wendy Brown. Recreation and Conservation Office, Dec. 2011. Web. 14 Jan. 2012.
<http://www.invasivespecies.wa.gov/documents/2011%20Invasive%20Species%20Council%20Annual%20Report.pdf>.