South East Local Land Services (LLS) has recently seen an increase in reports of feral pig activity across the Monaro and Tablelands districts.
South East LLS Team Leader Invasive Species, Mark McGaw said these reports have come from areas of known feral pig populations, as well as new areas that are now experiencing the impacts of feral pigs for the first time.
“This increase can be attributed to improved seasonal conditions which have enabled feral pigs to breed and, in some instances, feral pigs have been illegally transported and released into new areas,” Mr McGaw said.
“This illegal activity can result in fines of up to $22,000.
“Feral pigs are a highly adaptable pest animal in Australia.
They can cause extensive damage to the environment and cost the agricultural industry an estimated $100 million annually.
“Impacts include predation of lambs, reduction in crop and pasture yields, damage to fences, muddying of water sources and competition with livestock through consuming and damaging pasture.
Feral pigs prey on and degrade the habitat of small mammals and reptiles.
“These animals have the potential to carry and spread exotic diseases and parasites such as foot and mouth disease, swine vesicular disease, African swine fever, trichinosis and classical swine fever.
“There are a number of feral pig control methods. Primary control efforts include 1080 baiting and trapping.
Where numbers are low, opportunistic ground shooting can be conducted.
“A single control method used in isolation may provide limited local control of pig populations.
However, as with all vertebrae pests, coordinated and integrated control programs involving all stakeholders using a number of different control methods will have a more successful regional result.
The best results are achieved when everyone works together, using best practice control measures.
