Evaluation of Fencing to Control Feral Pig Movement

1983 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 499 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Hone ◽  
B Atkinson
Keyword(s):  
Feral Pigs ◽  
Feral Pig

Eight fence designs with and without electrification were tested for their ability to stop feral pigs crossing from one paddock to another.Fences of 8:80:15 hingejoints were pig-proof, whereas fences of 6:70:30 hingejoint or plain wires allowed some pigs to cross. Electrification of the fences significantly reduced the frequency of pig movement through fences to as little as 6.3% of test pigs. The behaviour of feral pigs relative to the fences and their implications are described.

Efficacy of manufactured PIGOUT® baits for localised control of feral pigs in the semi-arid Queensland rangelands

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brendan D. Cowled ◽  
Eddie Gifford ◽  
Michelle Smith ◽  
Linton Staples ◽  
Steven J. Lapidge
Keyword(s):  
Significant Risk ◽  
Population Census ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Feral Pigs ◽  
Remote Cameras ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Bait Stations ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Feral Pig

Conservative population declines of 73% were recorded in three independent feral pig populations in Welford National Park, Queensland, when PIGOUT® baits containing 72 mg of sodium fluoroacetate were used in a baiting program following prefeeding. Declines were measured using a prebaiting population census with remote cameras, followed by carcass recovery. The knockdown of susceptible feral pigs may have been higher than this, since any carcasses not recovered reduced the recorded efficacy. In addition, feral pigs know to have left the baiting area after trapping and telemetry-tagging, and subsequently not exposed to toxic baits, were included in the analysis. The use of remote cameras and carcass recovery appears to be a relatively accurate means of recording localised declines in feral pig populations. This method is applicable only when carcass recovery is possible, such as in open areas in the semi-arid rangelands. A decline of 86% of radio-tagged feral pigs attending bait stations was also recorded. Camera observations revealed no non-target consumption of baits. Measurement of sodium fluoroacetate–contaminated tissues from feral pigs showed that residues were too low to present a significant risk to recorded scavenging animals in the area. Some feral pigs vomited before death, with vomitus containing sodium fluoroacetate poison at high concentrations. No vomitus was consumed by non-target species. Almost all feral pigs were killed relatively rapidly after ingestion of sodium fluoroacetate and the signs observed in a small number of poisoned feral pigs did not indicate a significant welfare concern.

The Acceptance of Dyed Grain by Feral Pigs and Birds. 3. Comparison of Intakes of Dyed and Undyed Grain by Feral Pigs and Birds in Pig-Proof Paddocks.

1985 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 447 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Hone ◽  
H Bryant ◽  
P Nicholls ◽  
W Atkinson ◽  
R Kleba
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Blue Dye ◽  
Feral Pigs ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Sorghum Grains ◽  
Feral Pig

In a 2-year study maize, wheat and sorghum grains, and a green and a blue dye were used. Of 57 bird species recorded in the study area only galahs and crested pigeons were observed eating grain. Neither feral pigs nor birds had differences in intake of undyed or dyed grain on average over the study; however, intake differences were highly variable as a result of interactions involving years, seasons, grains and times within seasons. Daily grain intake per pig averaged 2.33 kg and daily grain intake by all birds averaged 0.24 kg. Intakes by pigs and birds varied significantly with years, seasons, grains and times within seasons in complex interactions. The study suggests that poisoned grain baits for feral pig control may be dyed with little effect on intake by feral pigs, but that dyeing poisoned grain may not decrease its acceptance by some bird species.

Observations on the Sensitivity of Some Australian Birds and the Feral Pig to the Organophosphorus Insecticide, Fenthion Ethyl.

1985 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 331 ◽  
Author(s):  
JC Mcilroy
Keyword(s):  
Organophosphorus Insecticide ◽  
Lucilia Cuprina ◽  
Feral Pigs ◽  
Australian Birds ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Toxicological Data ◽  
Feral Pig

Some toxicological data are presented to show that 7 species of birds in Australia are highly sensitive to Lucijet [O,O-diethyl O-[3-methyl-4-(methylthio)phenyl] phosphorothioate], an insecticide that is used against blowflies [Lucilia cuprina], lice and keds on sheep. Data on the sensitivity of birds to fenthion (the methyl analogue of Lucijet) indicate that other species of birds in Australia could be highly sensitive to Lucijet. This is partly confirmed by the variety of species found dead where Lucijet has been used to kill animals regarded as pests (such as feral pigs). Poison 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) is probably more effective against pigs and less hazardous to birdlife.

scholarly journals Efficacy of ERL-4221 as an ovotoxin for feral pigs (Sus scrofa)

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dustin L. Sanders ◽  
Fang Xie ◽  
Richard E. Mauldin ◽  
Jerome C. Hurley ◽  
Lowell A. Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oral Delivery ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Follicular Development ◽  
Fertility Control ◽  
The United States ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Feral Pigs ◽  
Experimental Trial ◽  
Feral Pig

Context The expansion of feral pig populations across the United States has increased the occurrence of damage and damage complaints. New techniques are needed to more effectively manage feral pig damage, including the development of fertility control agents. Aims We aimed to assess the ovotoxic properties of ERL-4221 as a candidate fertility control agent for feral pigs. Methods We conducted two palatability trials to determine ERL-4221 acceptance and one experimental trial with ERL-4221 at the captive wildlife facility of Texas A&M University-Kingsville during 2008. Our experimental trial had three treatments, a control containing no ERL-4221, baits containing 16.0 mg ERL-4221 kg–1 bodyweight for 10 days, and baits containing 16.0 mg ERL-4221 kg–1 bodyweight for 20 days. Key results Final body mass, total ovary mass, number of follicles and number of corpora lutea did not differ between treatments. Conclusions We did not find it efficacious to orally deliver ERL-4221 to feral pigs to reduce fertility. Oral delivery is the most practical, cost-effective means of delivering fertility control agents to feral pigs and development of additional fertility control strategies are needed. Implications Unless ovotoxic effects of ERL-4221 can be identified in feral pigs, along with a successful means of administration, other fertility control strategies may need to be explored, such as oocyte-secreted proteins that regulate follicular development.

Observations on effects of feral pig (Sus scrofa) age and sex on diet

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Wishart ◽  
Steven Lapidge ◽  
Michael Braysher ◽  
Stephen D. Sarre ◽  
Jim Hone
Keyword(s):  
Sus Scrofa ◽  
New South ◽  
Food Material ◽  
Feral Pigs ◽  
Wildlife Species ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Slow Moving ◽  
Pig Management ◽  
Age And Sex ◽  
Feral Pig

Context Feral pigs (Sus scrofa) are a destructive invasive species that cause damage to ecologically sensitive areas. Management of biodiversity and of feral pigs assumes the diet of pigs of different ages and sexes are similar. Aims We aimed to investigate effects of feral pig age and sex on broad feral pig diet to identify potential at-risk native wildlife species so as to improve biodiversity and feral pig management. Methods Diet was determined by macroscopic analysis of the stomach content of 58 aerially shot feral pigs of mixed ages and sexes. The study occurred in the Macquarie Marshes, New South Wales, a Ramsar wetland of international significance. Results Feral pigs were largely herbivorous, with vegetable matter being found in all stomachs and contributing to a majority of the food material that was present in each stomach, by volume. Adult feral pigs had significantly more grasses and crop material in their stomachs than juveniles, while juveniles had significantly more forbs in their stomachs than adult feral pigs. Vertebrate prey items included frogs, lizard and snake, but no threatened wildlife species. Conclusions Juvenile and adult feral pigs differed in their diet, especially with regards to plant material, which has not been reported previously. There was, however, no difference in the consumption of vertebrate wildlife species between juvenile and adult, or male and female feral pigs. Slow-moving, nocturnal amphibians and reptiles were the most common vertebrate item recorded. Implications Biodiversity and feral pig management should recognise plant diet differences between demographic segments of the feral pig population. Further research is recommended to determine if diet differences also occur for threatened wildlife species, which will require more intensive nocturnal sampling.

Feral pigs: predicting future distributions

2009 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brendan D. Cowled ◽  
Fiona Giannini ◽  
Sam D. Beckett ◽  
Andrew Woolnough ◽  
Simon Barry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weather Data ◽  
Contingency Planning ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Feral Pigs ◽  
The Future ◽  
Sea Ports ◽  
Natural Dispersal ◽  
North Western ◽  
Modelling Approach ◽  
Feral Pig

Feral pig populations are expanding in many regions of the world following historically recent introductions. Populations are controlled to reduce damage to agriculture and the environment, and are also a recreational hunting resource. Knowledge of the area over which feral pigs may expand in the future could be used regionally to assist biosecurity planning, control efforts and the protection of biodiversity assets. The present study sought to estimate the future distribution of a recently introduced, expanding feral pig population in the remote Kimberley region of north-western Australia. An existing survey of feral pig distributions was enhanced and remote-sensing and weather data, reflecting or correlated with factors that may affect feral pig distributions, were collated and analysed. Relationships between feral pig distributions and these data were identified by using a generalised additive modelling approach. By the use of the model, the distribution of favourable habitat was estimated across the study region (89 125 km2). The potential future distribution of feral pigs in the Kimberley was then estimated, assuming only natural dispersal of feral pigs from areas of known feral pig status (cf. hunter-assisted movements or escape of domestic pigs). The modelling suggests that feral pigs could expand their distribution by realistic natural dispersal in the future (to 61 950 km2). This expansion possibility contains several strategically important areas (such as sea ports and biologically significant wetlands). This approach has the potential to improve biosecurity planning for the containment of the feral pig in the Kimberley and may have utility for other recently introduced invasive species in other regions. These results may also be used to improve pest-management programmes and contingency planning for exotic-disease incursions.

Spatial and temporal patterns of feral pig diggings in rainforests of north Queensland

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 597 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Mitchell ◽  
W. Dorney ◽  
R. Mayer ◽  
J. McIlroy
Keyword(s):  
Forest Floor ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Temporal Patterns ◽  
Tropical Rainforests ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Patterns ◽  
Environmental Significance ◽  
Maximum Rainfall ◽  
Feral Pigs ◽  
Ecological Values ◽  
Feral Pig

Feral pigs (Sus scrofa) are believed to have a severe negative impact on the ecological values of tropical rainforests in north Queensland, Australia. Most perceptions of the environmental impacts of feral pigs focus on their disturbance of the soil or surface material (diggings). Spatial and temporal patterns of feral pig diggings were identified in this study: most diggings occurred in the early dry season and predominantly in moist soil (swamp and creek) microhabitats, with only minimal pig diggings found elsewhere through the general forest floor. The overall mean daily pig diggings were 0.09% of the rainforest floor. Most diggings occurred 3–4 months after the month of maximum rainfall. Most pig diggings were recorded in highland swamps, with over 80% of the swamp areas dug by pigs at some time during the 18-month study period. These results suggest that management of feral pig impacts should focus on protecting swamp and creek microhabitats in the rainforest, which are preferred by pigs for digging and which have a high environmental significance.

Consumption of crops by feral pigs (Sus scrofa) in a fragmented agricultural landscape

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Gentle ◽  
James Speed ◽  
Darren Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Sus Scrofa ◽  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Feral Pigs ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Feral Pig

Feral pigs (Sus scrofa) consume and damage crops and impact the environment through predation, competition and habitat disturbance, although supporting dietary data are lacking in agricultural landscapes. This study was undertaken to determine the relative importance of food items in the diet of feral pigs in a fragmented agricultural landscape, particularly to assist in predicting the breadth of likely impacts. Diet composition was assessed from the stomach contents of 196 feral pigs from agricultural properties in southern Queensland. Feral pigs were herbivorous, with plant matter comprising >99% of biomass consumed. Crops were consumed more frequently than non-crop species, and comprised >60% of dietary biomass, indicating a clear potential for direct economic losses. Consumption of pasture and forage species also suggests potential competition for pasture with domestic stock. There is little evidence of direct predation on native fauna, but feral pig feeding activities may impact environmental values. Seasonal differences in consumption of crop, pasture or animal food groups probably reflect the changing availability of food items. We recommend that future dietary studies examine food availability to determine any dietary preferences to assist in determining the foods most susceptible to damage. The outcomes of this study are important for developing techniques for monitoring the impacts of feral pigs, essential for developing management options to reduce feral pig damage on agricultural lands.

The impact of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) on an Australian lowland tropical rainforest

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 437 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Taylor ◽  
L. K.-P. Leung ◽  
I. J. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Tropical Rainforest ◽  
Soil Biota ◽  
Seedling Density ◽  
Ecosystem Recovery ◽  
Feral Pigs ◽  
Litter Cover ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Feral Pig

Context Feral pigs are thought to damage tropical rainforests, but long-term impact has not yet been quantified. Aims This study aimed to determine the impact of feral pigs on soil, soil biota and vegetation in a lowland tropical rainforest in Daintree, north-eastern Australia, and the recovery following exclusion of feral pigs for 12 years. Methods Three types of plots were established in 1994: damaged plots were fenced in areas where severe damage had already occurred (‘fenced damaged’); undamaged plots were fenced in areas showing no evidence of damage (‘fenced undamaged’); and unfenced plots were randomly placed and remained at risk of damage (‘unfenced’). Key results In 2006, feral pigs had caused significant declines in seedling density, soil macroinvertebrate density and leaf litter cover, but not in soil pH, soil conductivity, invertebrate diversity, vegetation diversity, tree density, canopy cover or fallen log cover. Mean seedling density was lower in the fenced damaged plots than the fenced undamaged plots in 1994 but not in 2006. Other response variables also did not differ significantly between these two plot types, indicating that any damage caused by feral pigs to soil, soil biota or vegetation before 1994 was fully recovered within 12 years. Conclusions Our findings suggest that reductions in soil invertebrate density, seedling density, and leaf litter cover should be monitored regularly to inform feral pig management programs, and that these variables should be measured for objective assessment of the outcome of any feral pig control program. These declines may continue and be translated into the decline of trees and other keystone species or processes into the future. Implications The efficacy of feral pig control programs can be assessed using the quantitative analysis of the aforementioned variables. The results of such monitoring programs, in conjunction with baseline data, can provide an indication of ecosystem recovery and therefore the level of success achieved by the applied control measures.

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