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.

Other feral pests

MR MCGAW said the LLS has receiving reports of increases in other feral pests including, but not restricted to, deer, goats, rabbits and foxes.

“Some of this increase in numbers and distribution can be attributed to the favourable seasons and search for new habitat,” he said.

“Other increases appear due to deliberate or unthinking actions by people releasing feral animals into previously ‘clean’ areas.

“Some ferals have resulted from escaped farmed or domestic animals.

Others have been deliberately transported to establish hunting targets in more easily accessible areas.

“People who could no longer care for their animals and were not prepared to re home them or alternatively euthanize them had also released them to fend for themselves.

“This problem extends also to our waterways with the setting free of exotic fish, tropical, cold water and foreign saltwater varieties, tank weeds and other creatures create biosecurity threats.”

Introducing species not native to the environment, bring with them numerous biosecurity problems, some extremely serious and a threat to the ecosystem and existing plant and wildlife.

“These problems cost Australia millions of dollars and large amounts of resources that could be put to other uses each year,” he said.

“Local LLS biosecurity staff can assist with the coordination of control programs and provision of technical advice, as well as the supply of 1080 baits and traps.

“We can also advise on other control measures.”

Last week Mr McGaw was in Brisbane attending a national conference on feral animals and biosecurity threats they posed.

South East LLS is encouraging all members of the community to report pig and other feral animal activity to its offices located at Bombala (02) 6458 3055, Cooma (02) 6452 1122, Braidwood (02) 4842 2536, Goulburn (02) 4821 2522 and Yass (02) 6226 1155.