Site Menu Image Courtesy of Clay Meyer About the Committee Feral Pig FAQ Downloads/ Reports Gallery Contact Details Related Links Home		F.A.Q. When did we start? Our group started as a pilot project in early 2001 after local landholders raised concerns regarding the spread of feral pigs, the damage they were causing and the potential for them to become an even greater problem if nothing was done. Who helped make it happen? A cooperative venture between landholders, businesses and government departments was thus formed. A large scale trapping program was established through the group's collaborative efforts. The success of the trapping efforts within the first 5 months proved the worth of the project and lead to the formation of the not-for-profit Lake Muir/ Denbarker Community Feral Pig Eradication Group. Has the project been successful? Over the past 6 years the group has significantly halted the advance of pig populations, reduced density and continues to aim for total eradication within the area. The success of the group is ensured by the continued support from a wide range of project partners. What are the objectives of the project? They include: Reducing the risk of spreading exotic diseases. Reducing impacts on the natural environment. Maintaining water quality in catchment areas. Protecting private and commercial properties. Sharing the cost and effort of control. Monitor the effectiveness of control techniques. Enabling an immediate response to sightings. Reduce illegal pig release and hunting. Increase awareness of work done by all stakeholders Involved in feral animal control. Improving trapping and poisoning programs Collect relevant statistics Encourage the presence of participants in forest areas after business hours. What impact do feral pigs have? Feral pigs are not fussy eaters targeting both flora and fauna. Their keen sense of smell and strong snout and tusks enable them to turn soil over much like a plough as they hunt for roots, tubers and even earthworms. Large areas of undisturbed wetland or farm property can be turned over into a boggy terrain in less than a few hours. What plants do feral pigs affect? Plants impacted by feral pigs include: Orchids and sundews (as well as other plants with underground bulbs and tubers)  Mosses (granite outcrops covered in mosses can take years to establish and can be wiped out overnight by pig foraging) New shoots of plants (areas recovering from fire damage are particularly vulnerable) Undermining and toppling larger trees and shrubs (especially likely to occur to roots of the parasitic Christmas Trees (Nuytsia floribunda) What animals do feral pigs affect? Pigs also feed on young and vulnerable fauna in the areas. They will feed on: Small mammals Reptiles Frogs Insects and worms Birds Eggs Young or weak livestock are also targeted How do feral pigs affect animal populations? Habitats are trampled, grazed and destroyed which reduces vegetation cover for native fauna. When vegetation is damaged animals become open targets for other hunters including foxes and birds of prey. Fouling and exclusion of native fauna at water holes has also been noted in areas affected by pigs. Are some flora and fauna more at risk than others? >Majestic Spider Orchid, Caladenia winfieldii; Swamp communities of Reedia spathacea; Quokka and Woylie communities; Sunset, Orange-bellied & White-bellied Frogs; in the south-west, and others throughout Western Australia. What environmental damage do they do? Environmental impacts on both private and public property includes: Reduction of farm productivity by reducing grazing area, creating impassable bogs and turrets across open fields and along firebreaks. Reduction of productivity in forest plantations by disturbing freshly cultivated mounds, creating erosion risks and creating impassable areas along firebreaks and within open areas. Spoiling and turning over of wetlands, dams, creeks and other water features. Because pigs like to dwell in damp and boggy conditions their presence near water catchment areas is continually monitored. To date there has been no immediate threat to domestic (scheme) water supplies but this is a risk. Increased likelihood of spreading diseases such as dieback, leptospirosis, hydatids and exotic earthworms. The outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the UK and Europe in 2001 focused the attention of Australian authorities on risks of feral pigs transmitting diseases to our livestock. Damaging the pockets of important remnant vegetation that exist on private properties and forest plantations. Do people release pigs for illegal hunting? Illegal hunting and release of pigs for sport is a major issue. Illegal release is the major cause of feral pig movement across the state. DNA testing has shown feral pigs have been introduced to lower south west from more than 150kms away. DNA testing and tracking devices to understand their potential migratory range has revealed that will naturally travel only about 20kms. What can be done about people releasing pigs or illegal hunting? Methods of controlling such activity include: Fines and charges in relation to of  illegal feral pig activity within conservation areas Fines and charges in relation to illegal use of firearms and dogs on government and private lands On farm inspections for illegally kept pigs. The Departments of Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Food and WA Police are working together with other authorities to enforce relevant acts and regulations. Does the group employ trappers? Yes. Experienced trappers are integral to the success of the program. By employing a trapper the committee is able to control the methods used and the area of operation, as well as ensuring compliance regarding access to properties and documentation of trapping activity. These trappers are accredited have permits and are covered by insurance. Is trapping the best method of feral pig control? Feral pigs can have 2 litters per year so if not effectively controlled the population can increase rapidly. To reduce the feral pigs capacity to reproduce requires the removal of 70% of the population per year. The most appropriate method for the Lake Muir / Denbarker area has been trapping. It can capture whole groups of pigs. Is shooting feral pigs effective? Inadequately controlled shooting and hunting poses a risk of scattering pigs and training them to avoid humans. Organizations such as the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia have also complemented control activities in the Lake Muir / Denbarker area. However communication is vital between organizations to minimize duplication of effort or disturbance to each otherís programs. When is the best time to trap feral pigs? Trapping is most efficient at times of the year when water and feed supplies are low i.e. late summer / early autumn for Lake Muir / Denbarker area. Opportunistic trapping in response to community reports is also very effective.
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