Facts about feral pigs in Australia

European settlers introduced Pigs into Australia as a production animal for their communities. When these animals escaped from captivity they quickly established feral populations and have increased dramatically from then to now.

There are now estimated to be over 23 million feral pigs in Australia, which in reality means there are more feral pigs than humans that reside in our country. They are populated throughout Australia but predominately concentrated in Queensland, New South Wales and across the top of the Northern Territory. In other areas of the country, small isolated populations are present and are increasing is numbers due to the feral pigs tremendous ability to survive the harshest of conditions.

The agricultural impact of feral pigs ranges from destruction of grain crops, fruit and vegetable crops, sugarcane, pollution of water ways, and the predation on newborn lambs and other livestock.

Feral pigs pose a great threat of an exotic disease outbreak such as Foot and Mouth Disease. They already carry diseases such as Tuberculosis, Brucellosis, Leptospirosis and Qfever, which can have an adverse affect on the human population.

Environmental impacts are devastating too as pigs are susceptible to the heat they spend most of their time near by water. They pollute water courses and also wallow and plough up country that destroys a well balanced eco-system.

Feral pigs also prey on small mammals, reptiles and birds. Crocodiles, turtles, cassowaries and other animals have there nests raided and their offspring destroyed and eaten. The feral pig is putting ever increasing pressure on some rare and endangered species.

To add to their destructive habits – wild pigs populate a large area and move with seasonal changes. Studies have confirmed that pigs cover approx 20 km a day with lone boars covering up to 40 km.

 

 

 

pig damageAn example of the damage the feral pigs do to the environment