A brains and brawn approach to eradicating feral pigs has seen the skills of two natural resource management groups combined in an effort to cover more than 250,000 acres of private land near Injune, Queensland. 

Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA) have collaborated with feral pest experts Southern Queensland Landscapes in a mission to catch and collar feral pigs; and gain valuable insights into how to best target pest control efforts. 

Feral pest Project Officer Aiden Sydenham said the project has seen 7 pigs collared to date, with a further 5 to be collared in the coming weeks. The data collected from the collars GPS tracking system will be hugely valuable in making an impact on feral pig populations.

75% of a feral pig population needs to be eradicated

to experience a long term decline in the local population

“When you have GPS data, you can better coordinate and actually target eradication efforts,” Aiden Sydenham said. 

“From looking at early collar data, these pigs are not travelling very far, about two to five kilometres on average in total. Pigs are routine animals, and this data shows us their repetitive behaviours, like where they go to feed, where their water source is, and where they spend their time,” Mr Sydenham said. 

“Pigs are all different - that’s why it’s important to gain this data. We use this data to inform our decisions when targeting control efforts throughout the different seasons of the year,” he said.

By fitting a GPS tracking collar on to a feral pest, SQ Landscapes is able to collect movement data and a variety of important information such as the sex, weight, age and DNA of the animal. 

“Once we have collared the feral pig, a DNA sample is taken from each pig allowing us to study the genetic diversity of the local population,” he said. 

Collaboration with neighbours is also a key component to a successful campaign. 

“It’s really important to collaborate with your neighbours and take a collective approach to feral animal control. We all need to work together on this,” Aiden Sydenham said.

“It’s fantastic to have the support from landholders and NRM groups like Fitzroy Basin Association to help find the missing piece of the puzzle regarding feral pig management,” Mr Sydenham said.

Feral pigs cost the Australian Agricultural sector $106.5 million per year 

While feral pigs have a big impact on productivity for land managers, FBA’s Project Officer (Environment) Hannah Kaluzynski said enhancing the condition and extent of threatened trees, grasses and shrubs is another key objective of the program. 

“FBA aims to reduce the impact of feral pigs on rare vegetation and productive land. Working with passionate land managers is crucial to this project. As the collars are proving, pigs don’t understand boundary lines, through collaboration we have been able to follow the pest to implement the most effective control methods. ,” Hannah Kaluzynski said. 

“When the project first commenced there were signs of feral pigs everywhere but we couldn't get them with the previous control efforts because they were hiding in the thick scrub. To overcome the pests we knew we had to try something different, Ms Kaluzynski said.

While FBA has used GPS tracking previously, the organisation said SQ Landscapes’ technology was exciting. 

“It’s great having the live tracking data straight at your fingertips. We can now see what the feral pigs are doing and where they are moving. This insight will inform our baiting and culling tactics moving forward increasing our chances of success. s,” she said. 

If you would like more information about pig collaring and how it could help you maximise your pest control management strategies contact Southern Queensland Landscapes via 4620 0111 or admin@sqlandscapes.org.au.