Pigs

In controlling feral pigs, a strategy is required. Pigs are smart animals and they, too, are strategic. The following are the methods of control currently used for feral pigs in Australia:

• Poisoning
• Shooting
• Trapping
• Mustering

Poisoning

There are many poisons used in the control of pigs, but the most commonly used poison is Sodium Monofluoroacetate, also known more commonly as 1080. Other poisons used on feral pigs are Phosphorus-based poisons, but these do not have the effect on feral pig populations that 1080 does and can also result in the secondary poisoning of native wildlife.

Shooting

Otherwise known as culling. It isn’t effective as pigs aren’t seasonal reproducers, they can reproduce anytime of the year. In good conditions, a sow (female pig) can produce 2 litters of up to 10 piglets a year, so populations can recover quickly. Once again, aerial culling is the easiest form of shooting.

Mustering

Pigs are a useful source of meat, and since their population numbers have reached plague levels in Australia. After the animal is captured, it is transported either live, or slaughtered. They are exported to European countries. The main forms of meat that comes from pigs are bacon, ham, and pork.

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