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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: 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: 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>.