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New weapon for feral pig control trialled in Texas, USA
Feral pig control can feel like a never-ending battle to land managers, and it’s no wonder.
At the end of 2019 it was estimated that Australia has up to 24 million feral pigs, and with plenty of summer rainfall this year, that number is likely to rise.
They are among Queensland's most widespread and damaging pest animals. Feral pigs spread weeds, degrade soil and water, prey on native species, damage crops and livestock, and carry diseases. (Source: Queensland Government)
There are a number of tools and strategies available to land managers in their efforts to control feral pigs in the landscape, which now includes HOGGONE, a bait recently registered for use in Australia.
Our General Manager for Commercial Programs and feral pig control expert Darren Marshall is on the front line of the feral pig problem at home and abroad.
For the past four years, Darren has been researching feral pig behaviours and human involvement as part of a PhD.I which he expects to complete in 2021. His findings to-date have already revealed previously unknown information about feral pig movements and human attitudes toward controlling the pests, which will play a key role in addressing the issue moving forward.
Knowing Darren’s extensive knowledge about feral pigs, Animal Control Technologies Australia (ACTA) recently enlisted his expertise to be part of a critical trial of HOGGONE in Texas, USA.
Using bait - The difference between America and Australia
Feral pigs are a big problem in America, too. Their stronghold is the South - about half of the nation's six million feral pigs live in Texas. (Source: Live Science)
While in Australia, baiting options like sodium fluoroacetate (1080) have been available to land managers to aid in control efforts since the early 1960s, there are currently no baiting options available for feral pigs in America.
This is because in Australia, our native land mammals are primarily marsupial and therefore no other large, native placental mammal species are at risk of being affected by the poison.
While America’s native fauna such as bears, deer, wolves and racoons are at risk of being affected by baits. HOGGONE was deemed potentially useful to the American authorities for controlling feral pigs for this reason – it is pig specific.
HOGGONE trial
The trial was implemented in partnership between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), with Darren consulting for ACTA.
The trial site was set up near Lubbock, Texas where feral pig populations are especially high. The team set up a number of hoppers to free feed pigs before applying the bait. The hoppers have been uniquely designed to target pigs with a magnetised lid that can only be lifted by the strength of a pig. They are the only animals observed to use their snouts to perform a lifting action, which is thought to be a factor of their intelligence level.
“I was really keen when I was contacted by ACTA to be part of this trial to help gather evidence about this particular control method so we can continue protecting farmer livelihoods and the environment from pest animal damage.”
“We are looking to replicate the Texas trial in Southern Queensland in the coming months to determine how we might use HOGGONE to target feral pig populations in our region specifically,” said Darren.
For more information about the use of HOGGONE, contact:
Darren Marshall
General Manager Commercial Programs, SQ Landscapes
0429 056 450
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